Crimestoppers launched first ever cross-border rural crime campaign

The independent charity said that this joint campaign across six northern counties aims to help root out and identify those responsible for crime in neighbouring rural areas.  
 
Criminals often travel large distances using roads such as the A66, A1 or M6 to carry out crimes causing misery and significant financial lose.  
 
The campaign seeks to cut cross-border rural crimes by increasing the amount of community information by encouraging the public to anonymously report suspicious activity in rural areas.  

The experts are also sharing tips on how to reduce your risk of having your property targeted.  

Four themes 

The six police forces share intelligence and carry out joint operations, which are very successful in stopping travelling criminals. However, with the help of the public who have not spoken up yet, they can be more effective in targeting resources and reducing crime in rural hot spots.  
 
Crimestoppers said that there are four themes for this campaign covering the theft of quad bikes and farm machinery, theft of livestock, burglary and poaching.  
 
For example, a quad bike stolen in Cumbria may be transported to the North East and then be sold on and end up in West Yorkshire. Sheep can be taken from a farm in North Yorkshire and end up in Lancashire.  

Criminals may travel across all these areas to carry out burglaries or thefts from more isolated, rural properties. 
 
The NFU Mutual’s repor has revealed that rural crime cost the UK an estimated £52.8m in 2023, compared to £50.6m from the previous year. 

How to protect your farm 

Crimestoppers shared simple steps to make your property and machinery secure: 

• Fit tracking devices to vehicles and machinery. 

• Remove keys and keep vehicles locked away and out of sight. 

• Lock your home and outbuildings at all times

• Install CCTV or video doorbells 

• Put up signs saying you have fitted tracking devices and video cameras on your premises. 

• Join a rural or farm watch scheme. 

• Speak up about suspicious vehicles or individuals – registration numbers, make/model, description of individuals, times and dates, those who are selling stolen quad bikes or machinery, animals that have been poached or stolen, or those who target rural properties.  

Keep North East safe 

Fleur Brown, North East regional manager at the charity Crimestoppers, said: “Farms are not just businesses; they are family homes. Theft has huge financial repercussions for those who rely on livestock and machinery for their livelihood, and it also leaves rural communities feeling vulnerable and fearful for personal safety.  
 
“Wildlife crime covers a range of unlawful actions against our wild animals and includes poaching and hare coursing. Although not limited to the countryside, rural communities are particularly vulnerable to this crime due to their abundance of natural habitats for wildlife. 
 
“Help keep the North East safe. If you know or suspect who is committing rural crimes such as poaching, theft of livestock, quad bikes, farm machinery and the theft and burglaries of rural homes and businesses, contact our charity. We are here to take information from you 100% anonymously, always.” 
 
To report rural crime 100% anonymously, visit the charity’s website Crimestoppers-uk.org and fill in a secure anonymous online form or call their 24/7 UK Contact Centre on 0800 555 111, 365 days of the year. In an emergency, always call 999. 

Read more rural crime news.