NFU holds talks with Cheshire police and crime chief after spate of GPS thefts

The NFU and its members held talks with new Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Dan Price, following a spate of GPS thefts and other crime on county farms.

Farmers joined the NFU at a Cheshire meeting to highlight the issues they face with rural crime in the county.

The meeting was hosted by dairy farmer, Ray Brown and family at Bidlea Dairy, Holmes Chapel and they were joined by other members and NFU representatives.

The group highlighted rural crime issues including machinery theft, GPS theft, fly tipping and the ease of reporting incidents and how this can be improved to encourage more people to report and how manufacturers should be looking to improve the security on tractors.

Issues were also raised around the easing of planning laws and the challenges the current system can create for farmers when submitting applications.

The NFU raised concerns over a recent increase in the theft of high value GPS technology from farms over the last few weeks with farmers suffering huge financial losses and business disruption.

The sophisticated equipment, typically costing thousands of pounds, is used to guide tractors and combine harvesters. Without it, farmers face severe delays and disruption to harvesting and cultivating work, with long waits for replacement kit.

Helen Wainwright, NFU County Adviser said:

“Rural crime is a big issue for our members, so it was great to get Dan out on farm to meet them.  He looked at different farm machinery and the importance of it to run businesses successfully and the consequences if kit is stolen.

“He seems understanding and keen to continue the dialogue with us. To tackle rural crime effectively, we are asking PCCs to ensure priorities for addressing rural crime are detailed in their Police & Crime Plan and for the recruitment of a dedicated rural crime specialist.”

Dan Price, Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner said:

“It was a great day at Bidlea Farm working with the NFU understanding the challenges that members have got and I'm looking forward to collaborating with the NFU further.

“It is important that we correspond with some of the manufacturers of the equipment, getting them to take their responsibilities seriously making sure we can design out, where possible, some of the problems that farmers are dealing with. 

“I look forward to working with the NFU and its Cheshire members and collaborating in the years ahead.”

Rural crime has far-reaching consequences, impacting farmers both financially and emotionally and it has a significant impact on them and their families which can make them feel unsafe and vulnerable.

Alistair Dobson, NFU Cheshire County Chairman said:

“Farmers have been victims of a range of crimes, livestock worrying, fly tipping but with the lighter nights and farm machinery more visible, our farmers have seen a big increase in GPS device thefts.

“It has a huge financial impact on farmers, impacts our ability to do our work, producing food for the nation and makes people feel unsafe in their own homes and workplaces.

“We need rural crime to be a top priority and for the authorities to continue to work with our members to deliver positive long-term and short-term results.”