‘Our farms are under siege from criminal gangs’

Organised crimes gangs together with sheep rustlers and burglars are focusing on farmers who’ve described “residing in concern” of a brand new rural crime wave.

James Jackson mentioned he had suffered repeated break-ins at his farm in Trawden, Lancashire, with burglars attempting to steal quad bikes value £12,000 in addition to his sheep – which may fetch £200 every on the black market.

Different farmers have advised the BBC about joyriders excessive on medication driving off of their tractors and pigs being killed with crossbows.

One Lancashire Police officer described how organised crime gangs “scope out” farms earlier than stealing from them whereas sheep have been “slaughtered” in conjunction with the street.

Trawden just lately made headlines around the globe for its kindness – because of its residents taking volunteering to the subsequent degree – however farmers on its outskirts have mentioned there’s a darker aspect to the realm.

Mr Jackson mentioned: “It is an attractive place however some farmers now stay in concern of criminals.

“We all know organised crime is behind it.

“We have needed to improve safety with CCTV cameras as we have had a number of tried break-ins as they tried to get to the quad bikes.”

The 38-year-old continued: “They attempt to rip tiles off the sheds to allow them to see what’s inside.

“It is worse in unhealthy climate as they know they will not be heard within the wind.

“There’s additionally fairly a little bit of sheep rustling. They will get £200 for them on the black market.

“Crime appears to be getting worse and the police do not appear to have the ability to do a lot about it.”

Dairy farmer Stephanie Gregory, who retains about 180 cows, has had three Land Rovers and two quad bikes stolen from her farm.

The 49-year-old mentioned: “It is fairly remoted up right here and generally whenever you’re out at nighttime, you do fear who’s watching you.

“We have had fairly a bit stolen and considered one of our staff got here throughout somebody joyriding considered one of our tractors at night time in a discipline.

“His eyes had been glazed over like he was on medication and he was going spherical in circles.

“Some pigs had been additionally shot lifeless with crossbows on one other farm however fortunately our animals have been saved protected.”

Strolling his canine via the village, leisure centre lifeguard Leighton Wainman, 22, mentioned: “There’s not a lot crime within the village itself because it’s fairly quiet.

“However I do know there’s issues within the hills.

“All of us heard in regards to the farmer who received nicked. He’d had break-ins at his farm.”

Final October, a 52-year-old farmer in Trawden took the regulation into his personal arms on his land, tying up two folks he accused of trespassing.

He drove them 4 miles to Colne police station however was then arrested for false imprisonment and assault. The farmer was launched and the case stays below investigation.

Mr Jackson mentioned: “I feel there may be extra incidents of individuals taking the regulation into their very own arms.”

Sgt Kevin Day, whose group patrols the realm, mentioned criminals from Burnley and Yorkshire have focused farms to steal objects together with quad bikes and costly equipment.

He mentioned: “We all know quite a lot of criminals are travelling into the realm and scope out farms.

“A variety of these guys are utilizing cloned automobiles they usually know methods to costume to look nameless.

“It may be a problem, however one we rise to day-after-day. Now we have arrested individuals who have stolen quad bikes and farm equipment.

“Farmers do must report crime as under-reporting is huge within the space.”

Sgt Day mentioned the consequences of sheep rustling had been additionally “big” for farmers.

The officer added: “Sheep may be taken for various causes.

“Sometimes we now have excessive numbers taken from a flock that may go into the unlawful meals market.

“Now we have had particular person sheep slaughtered and butchered to a really excessive customary in conjunction with the street.”