Scottish person dies in E.coli outbreak amid warnings over Christmas cheeses

A person from Scotland has died as a result of an ongoing E.coli outbreak, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed.

Family's Christmas wish for missing donkey 'stolen for Nativity play' to be returned safe

This Christmas one family in Carmarthenshire only want one thing, for their pet donkey to come home.

Len's Light raises mental health awareness in the rural community this Christmas

Len's Light share their Christmas message after a year of campaigning on a number of mental health issues affecting farmers

Farmer dismay as Tamworth sows butchered in field

Dorset pig farmer James Hull has spoken of his “horror” as two of his valued Tamworth sows were illegally slaughtered and butchered in a field just yards away from his house in the run-up to Christmas.

Police recover farming equipment after Harwich operation

A telehandler and a van have been recovered during an operation to detect stolen agricultural machinery being exported through Harwich International Port.

Woman banned from keeping horses as Rural Crime Team supports RSPCA prosecution

A Rothwell woman whose two horses had to be put to sleep after she failed to care for them properly has been banned from owning, keeping or caring for equines for five years.

Gang stole £1 million of agricultural equipment across Nottinghamshire

A gang of thieves who stole nearly £1 million worth of plant and agricultural equipment have been jailed.

Dog owner fined after livestock worrying incident in Cheshire

The dog owner was fined and ordered to pay court costs of £790

Firefighters save animals from barn fire in Lincolnshire

The owners of a Lincolnshire village farm have thanked everyone for their offers of help following a large barn fire.

Farming charities receive donations totalling more than £1m

Donations of more than £1 million will go to numerous farm charities and organisations thanks to fundraising activities of the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust.

Farmers hail scrapping of DIY waste charges amid fly-tipping scourge

Farmers hit by the scourge of fly-tipping have welcomed plans to abolish fees that local authorities charge for disposing of DIY waste at recycling centres.

New funding boosts rural crime prevention projects on the Isle of Wight

A range of intervention projects across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to prevent crime are to get underway thanks to the Police and Crime Commissioner’s latest funding announcement.

Farmer foils drug operation after finding £15m of cocaine in feed

A farmer has helped foil a multi-million pound large-scale drug operation after he found kilo-block drug packages within his normal delivery of animal feed.

Owner of seriously ill foal tethered without food or water given 10-year ban

A woman who failed to get vet treatment for a seriously ill and underweight foal left tethered without food, water and shelter has been banned from keeping animals for 10 years

Sheep killed with hammer and stolen at Middleton, Suffolk

Police are appealing for information after a sheep was killed with a hammer and stolen from a field.

Appeal after white quad bike stolen from Silloth

An appeal has been launched after a white quad bike was stolen from Silloth.

Dorset Council defies veganism and passes motion to back all farmers

Dorset Council has become the latest local authority to shun the plant-based movement by passing a motion that supports farmers of all sectors.

Brazen thieves escape down bridleway on stolen John Deere tractor near Faversham

Brazen thieves stole a tractor from a new housing development and escaped down a bridleway late at night.

Cheshire Police Rural Crime Team urge dog owners to keep control of their dogs over the festive period

Police are reminding dog owners to make sure they have control over their dogs when they are walking in the countryside over the festive period.

Hereford and Angus cattle stolen from farm in Somerset

Avon and Somerset Police said beef cattle had been stolen from a farm in Shepton Mallet

June census highlights drop in farm labour force

There were 8,000 fewer people working in UK agriculture in 2023 compared with year earlier levels, according to Defra’s June census.

Farming business fined after woman killed in cow attack

A farming business has been fined after a woman was killed after being butted several times by a cow.

‘Worrying’ number of sheep theft reports in Co. Antrim – PSNI

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is appealing for information following a “worrying” third report of stolen sheep in Co. Antrim in recent weeks.

£20,000 worth of equipment stolen during break-in

Over £20,000 worth of equipment has been stolen from SRUC Oatridge after three thieves attacked the property.

Equipment and tools stolen in late night burglary of Aylesbury farm

Farm tools and equipment were stolen from a property in Aylesbury.

Defra confirms 22 bluetongue cases but 'no evidence' virus is circulating

New cases of bluetongue have brought the total number to 22 since the initial outbreak last month, but there is still 'no evidence' the virus is circulating, Defra says.

Lancashire poaching taskforce gets award for halving hare coursing

A police taskforce set up to combat poaching has received an accolade after reports of hare coursing more than halved over two years.

Christmas convoys light up countryside communities

Festive tractor runs have been dazzling rural communities across the country, raising thousands of pounds for good causes.

'Mucky afternoon' as cow falls into cesspit

A rescue effort saw the cow returned to a nice clean bed of straw in a barn

New initiative launched to crackdown on fuel thieves

After recognising the challenges faced in rural areas where offenders on quad bikes wreak havoc stealing diesel, damaging crops, and fencing – a new idea was formed to join forces with a diesel dye company.

Police taskforce in Thames Valley cracks down on rural crime

Thames Valley Police is ramping up its effort to crack down on rural crime.

King's charity offering £5,000 support for rural start-ups

Businesses can now apply for £5,000 of financial support through the Royal Countryside Fund's rural start-up initiative.

Church fly-tipping hotspot cleared by locals and council

A township fly tipping hotspot has been cleared and fenced off with help from local residents.

Rural crime team warn Forest of Dean walkers after nails found on footpaths

Officers are asking those walking in the Clanna area of Lydney, the Forest of Dean to be alert as nails and tacks have been found on footpaths and bridleways.

Two hare coursers handed Criminal Behaviour Orders, Crowland

Two men charged with hare coursing offences in Crowland have been handed Criminal behaviour Orders, and ordered to pay costs.

Derbyshire’s rural crime team ‘most proactive’ in the UK against machinery theft

Derbyshire Constabulary’s rural crime team has been recognised as the UK’s most proactive in tackling machinery theft.

North Beds MP steps up campaign against barbaric hare coursers

Richard Fuller MP says more can be done on coursing and wider rural crime

Gamekeeper who filmed animal fights for TikTok spared jail

Ryan Martin, of Laurencekirk in Aberdeenshire, was snared after the Scottish SPCA and Police Scotland were alerted to his crimes.

New penalty of £5,000 for animal health and welfare offences

New legislation will introduce the option to issue fixed penalty notices for a range of animal health and welfare related offences.

'It's OK to take a break' - dairy farmer captures mental health struggles in art shared on Instagram

Holly Atkinson set up social media account to highlight rural mental health