A NEW initiative to crack down on rural crime and support local communities launched last week - and vulnerable farms in Barnsley’s rural outposts have been assured that more is being done to allay their concerns.
Dubbed the South Yorkshire Rural Crime Initiative, it has been launched in response to the crimes and issues that disproportionately impact rural communities such as theft, vandalism and fly-tipping.
It follows a £443,000 grant from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) to further boost efforts to protect rural communities and businesses, including farmers, from crime.
The impact of rural crime causes ripples within the wider area and beyond, through increased costs for security and insurance, as well as reduced investment in local economies and depopulation.
The theft of agricultural machinery, fuel and crops, plus the damage caused by off-road bikes and quads, directly delays harvesting and reduces yields, while damage to infrastructure can compromise food safety and availability.
Through the initiative, which is being delivered by South Yorkshire Police and funded by SYMCA, financial support is available to purchase and install crime prevention products and materials with the aim of reducing rural crime and fear of crime, bringing offenders to justice and keeping communities safe.
The funding can be used to pay for products such as CCTV cameras, security lighting, enhanced signage, drones and other target hardening measures, following tailored advice and guidance from officers who have been proactively visiting farmers in Barnsley.
Chief Inspector Peter Spratt, the force’s rural crime lead, said: “The rural crime initiative has been launched in direct response to the issues we know disproportionately affect rural communities.
“Rural crime causes misery to our hardworking farmers, gamekeepers and landowners, leaving so many feeling isolated and intimidated.
“We will not tolerate this.
“Alongside this new initiative, we are increasing our visibility, improving our response and supporting our rural community to invest in prevention measures such as drones, GPS tracking and CCTV to help us identify those committing these crimes.
“We are all responsible for tackling this issue and I urge residents to work with us and support our work by reporting rural crime and information to us.
“All reports and pieces of intelligence help us to build up a clearer picture of the offending, identify those responsible and ensures we can respond more effectively in your area.”
The Chronicle can reveal that neighbourhood policing teams - such as officers whose patches cover locations such as Penistone - will be tasked with continuing the work and intelligence gathered through Operation Hawthorne.
The action, which saw 50 farms visited, will become more ordinary in outlying posts, according to Superintendent Mark James, having had more officers in rural communities last Thursday.
“Rural communities haven’t always been at the top of our priority list but I can reassure residents whose homes and farms are located there that they will become a real feature for our neighbourhood policing teams,” he told the Chronicle.
“Many of these are isolated and vulnerable because of the quieter locations.
“Operations were done once in a blue moon but this will now become more ordinary business because people in rural communities do deserve the same level of service.
“Their intelligence is key to shaping what we do, but we’re now in a much better position going forward to make a difference.”
Kilvinder Vigurs, deputy mayor for policing for South Yorkshire, said local views had been listened to.
“Since taking up my post I have attended several rural crime meetings and visited local farms to listen to the real concerns from farmers and their families.
“Our rural communities play a vital role in our region and they deserve to feel safe, supported and protected.
“That is why we have made this funding available - to give farmers, landowners and rural residents the tools they need to safeguard their livelihoods and strengthen their resilience against crime.
“The initiative is an important step in helping people protect their property, their animals and their equipment through practical measures such as CCTV, security lighting and other crime‑prevention technologies.
“By investing in these communities and working closely with South Yorkshire Police, we are taking a proactive and targeted approach to tackling rural crime and reducing the fear of crime.
“These funds are only one measure to support rural communities, we also need the public to protect our countryside and do their bit to keep it free from fly tipping and antisocial behaviour.
“I encourage all eligible residents and businesses to consider the support available and continue working with the police to keep our rural areas safe for everyone.
“If you want to pass on information about rural crime or suspicious activity in your area, we want to know about it.
“You can report rural and wildlife crimes online here or call 101. If a crime is in action, always call 999.
“If you don’t feel comfortable sharing information directly with us, you can also report information or crimes completely anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on their website by calling 0800 555 111.”
