More Must Be Done to Tackle Agricultural Crime, Says Committee
29 May 2014 12:16 PM
The Committee for Agriculture and Rural Development has
acknowledged the work of the PSNI in tackling agricultural crime and has called
for the level of focus on this issue to be sustained. Yesterday’s call
follows a briefing to the Committee from the PSNI on farming and rural crime,
which included an update on rural crime statistics and the work of the
PSNI’s Rural Crime Unit.
Speaking after yesterday’s
meeting, Committee Chairperson Paul Frew said: “When people think of
crime, they often think of crime in cities and towns. What can sometimes be
forgotten is how crime impacts on farming and rural communities. For people
living in those communities, it can cause huge distress and feelings of
isolation.
“Farming and rural crime
can take many forms, from illegal dumping of waste to burglaries and theft of
farming equipment. Today’s briefing from the PSNI provided us with a
useful overview of the types of crime that are being committed in our
countryside and where they are occurring. It also gave us an important
opportunity to raise a number of key concerns such as the effectiveness of the
Tracker and Cesar security devices used to recover stolen machinery. We
were also keen to hear more on the progress of the Rural Crime
Unit.
Mr Frew concluded: “This
is by no means the last briefing the Committee will have on this issue. We will
remain focused on the measures being used to tackle farming and rural crime to
ensure that they are proactive, fit for purpose and effective. The Committee,
like those living in the countryside, needs to be assured that farming and
rural crime is being treated as seriously as crime in urban
areas.”
Committee Deputy Chairperson Joe
Byrne MLA said: “The theft of machinery, livestock or diesel from a farm
is not just an inconvenience for farmers; it has a direct bearing on their
livelihood and their ability to provide for their families.
“Burglaries and fear of
crime can leave rural dwellers feeling isolated and vulnerable, particularly
elderly people. What is needed is targeted, robust action, and as a Committee,
we will continue to press the PSNI and other agencies to ensure that they are
doing all within their power to tackle farming and rural crime head
on.”
The Committee also noted its
concern about the recent incidents on the illegal slaughter of cattle and the
illegal movement of milk and highlighted the need for the Rural Crime Unit to
allocate all available resources to tackle these crimes head
on.
Notes to
Editors:
Committee
Membership:
Mr Paul Frew MLA –
Chairperson
Mr Joe Byrne MLA – Deputy
Chairperson
Mr Thomas Buchanan
MLA
Mrs Judith Cochrane
MLA
Mrs Jo-Anne Dobson
MLA
Mr William Irwin
MLA
Mr Declan McAleer
MLA
Miss Michelle McIlveen
MLA
Mr Oliver McMullan
MLA
Mr Ian Milne
MLA
Mr Robin Swann
MLA