North Craven targeted again by farm burglars

North Craven targeted again by farm burglars

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.

Overnight 21st/22nd October 2026, the Horton in Ribblesdale area was targeted again by thieves attacking mainly farm properties looking to steal vehicles, and high value tools. It appears that there were up to 7 males who had travelled to the area, and they were attempting to steal from multiple addresses. Despite their efforts, they didn't manage to get away with very much, but a lot of damage has been caused, as well as the emotional impact that these offenders leave behind due to their actions.
Victims of these offences called police as soon as they were suspicious about people on their land.
Vigilance and prevention are key to deterring criminal activity. These criminals are coming to the area with tools to make their targets easier to steal. Please consider trackers for vehicles, live cctv cameras which alert you at the time of any activity at the time which you can view, and other security devices to make things more difficult.
On both this occasion, and the events of overnight 6th/7th October, despite the efforts of multiple offenders travelling into the area to commit crime, these criminals didn't manage to take anywhere near the number of items they initially attempted to.
Thank you to all who made contact with police and who have continued to help with enquiries since. Enquiries are ongoing to identify and bring to justice all the offenders, and those behind these events.
Please report suspicious activity as soon as you can.

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.

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