Local Priorities Farming equipment thefts Message

I wanted to provide you with an update regarding Farming equipment thefts, which people around your area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the priority survey.

For awareness, a couple of white transit style vans have been seen in the area today in suspicious circumstances, with a number of males within. The vans have been seen at a number of locations around Malham, Otterburn and Wharfedale travelling together. Both vans are known to have left the area, but it is worth remaining vigilant in case they are looking at rural properties that may be the targets with the increase in quad bike thefts. Thank you to those who have been reporting these sightings, and helping us keep the area and property safe from criminals.

Rural crime has no set definition but can be very broadly classified as any crime and anti-social behaviour occurring in rural areas. It is often linked to Organised Crime Groups (OCGs) who target and exploit rural communities across a range of crime types, for example organised plant theft, livestock theft, burglaries targeting firearms, poaching and hare coursing.

The NPCC (National Police Chiefs Council) has developed a Rural Affairs Strategy which sets out police priorities in this area:

• Farm machinery, plant and vehicle theft - including quad bikes, modern and vintage tractors, tools and equipment from outbuildings.
• Livestock offences - including theft, worrying and attacks.
• Fuel theft - including heating oil, diesel and petrol.
• Equine crime - including horse trailer and horse box theft, horse theft, tack theft, fly grazing and neglect.
• Fly tipping - including household and commercial waste, waste through organised criminality.
• Poaching which crosses over with the wildlife priorities - including hare coursing, deer poaching, fish poaching.
• Heritage crime - It is also important to recognise that rural crime and antisocial behaviour have an adverse impact on the historic environment and heritage assets found across the United Kingdom - including the theft of metal from church buildings, unlawful metal detecting and interference with historic shipwrecks.

More information on these issues and prevention advice can be found at Rural crime | Neighbourhood Watch Network

If you ever experience this issue or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at https://www.northyorkshire.police.uk/, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101. 

Alternatively, you can stay 100 per cent anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.

Get Involved

Please consider getting involved and contribute to the local priority survey, we may be unaware of issues that you would like us to focus on.  Take a few minutes to securely and privately register and have your say using the button below, this will mean we can focus on things that matter to you. 

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