'We've been robbed!' Appeal after thieves strike in rural raids

An appeal's been launched for help after thieves struck in overnight raids in the Borders.

Police appeal after group of men disturbed in Wem after attempted theft of catalytic converter

Police have asked residents to check any CCTV or doorbell video footage after up to four men were disturbed as they were trying to remove a part of a vehicle's exhaust system.

Rural crime alert from Devon and Cornwall Police

"Over recent weeks there has been an increase in the theft of agricultural precision guidance systems. Often fitted to tractors and agricultural machinery these devices are frequently stolen due to their high value and portability."

Tractors and crops targeted in rural crime wave

Private security patrols are being used to protect crops and expensive farm equipment amid a rural crime wave in England and Wales, the BBC has learned.

Police appeal for information after van was stolen outside a property in Bridgnorth

Police are appealing for information after a van containing a number of tools was stolen from outside a property in Bridgnorth.

Bird of prey’s death prompts police probe

AN investigation has been launched by South Yorkshire Police’s rural crime team after a rare bird of prey - which had been tracked by conservationists for two years - was killed.

Criminals steal £35,000 Brian Alabaster statues from Ullingwick

West Mercia Police's Hereford Rural Crime Team said it was trying to trace the stolen bronze statues stolen from Ullingswick, near Bromyard.

Appeal as fox discovered dead in bin bag with dog lead on neck

The RSPCA has started an investigation after a fox was discovered dead in a bin bag with a dog lead around its neck in Little Hulton.

Police force bars officers with hunting links from joining rural crime team after officer posts pictures of herself riding with a hunt as Chris Packham backs decision

New regulations ensure officers, staff, volunteers no 'personal links to hunts'
Chris Packham welcomed Wiltshire Police decision, urged others to follow suit
But Countryside Alliance blasted decision to ban as 'blatant discrimination'

Two dogs seized as man arrested on suspicion of illegal hunting

It follows an incident last month when three men were charged in connection with hare coursing in Letcombe Bassett area, near Wantage.

Victims face ‘devastation’ of livelihoods amid sharp rise in rural crime

A rise in rural crime has left victims feeling like ‘nobody cares’ as they count the cost of raids which put their livelihoods at risk.

12 reports of sheep worrying in Cumbria since January

THE Cumbrian police and crime commissioner has called for dog owners to keep their dogs on leads in rural areas after 12 reports of sheep worrying were received by the constabulary since January.

Man arrested in connection with Wealden burglaries

A man has been arrested after police officers executed a search warrant following two burglaries at a farm machinery dealership in Wealden, according to police.

Two youths charged after Derbyshire heritage site damaged and police officers assaulted during incident

Two youths have been charged after a Derbyshire castle was damaged and two officers were attacked.

Police urge vigilance following an increase in incidents of rural crime in West Devon

The team is encouraging equipment users where possible to remove items when not in use and consider property marking options. Most recently incidents have occurred in the West, Mid and East Devon areas.

Cotswold Hunt suspended after claims that fox was buried alive

A HUNT based in Gloucestershire has been suspended after claims that a fox was buried alive.

Borders farmers encouraged to apply for new DNA security kit

FARMS in the Borders could benefit from a new security system following a successful trial in South Lanarkshire.

Shropshire: Police appeal for information on stole quad bike

Shropshire: Police appeal for information on stole quad bike

Police crackdown after 'illegal' use of roads in Slaley Woods by 4x4s causes 'considerable damage' to countryside

Enforcement action led by Northumbria Police in Slaley Woods saw three 4x4s seized as part of a crackdown on illegal use of off-road cars and bikes.

Scrambler bikes stolen from workshop on farm in Hullavington

Three scrambler bikes have been stolen from a farm near Chippenham.

Great Missenden: Police appeal to find man after Aylesbury Road theft

Investigating officer PC Dan Shute of the Rural Crime Taskforce said: “I am appealing for anyone who recognises the man pictured in these images to please get in touch.

Two people arrested after horse riding equipment stolen

The value of the equipment totalled around £10,000.

Police appeal after abandoned motorhome found at M6 services

A Cheshire Police Rural Crime team spokesman posted on Facebook: "Do you know where your motorhome is?

Man released in connection with bird shooting – Wordwell

The male in his 70s and from the Brandon area was arrested yesterday (Monday 27 March) on suspicion of killing/taking a schedule 1 wild bird, possession of a schedule one wild bird and breach of firearms licence conditions.

Pervert caught in horse stables told police 'I have an unusual habit'

Shane Taylor-Waters pleaded guilty to trespass with intent to commit a sexual offence and was jailed for 12 months

PCC urges dog owners to help keep livestock safe this Spring

Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Peter McCall, is urging dog owners to keep their dogs on leads in our rural areas this Spring to help reduce sheep worrying.

Dog attacks could 'become norm' as sheep sector sees rise in incidents

On average, three sheep deaths were reported each year per farmer as a result of dog attacks.

East Yorkshire: Equipment stolen from two tractors

Humberside Police has reported that two 'John Deere Star Fire GPS Receivers and Screens' were stolen from two John Deere tractors whilst stored in a covered barn in a farm close to Wilberfoss.

Carlisle police appeal after cat attacked with air rifle

Police are appealing for information after a cat was attacked with an air rifle in Carlisle.

Police release advice following spate of burglaries

Police have issued advice to prevent rural crime following a spate of burglaries.

Warning of up to £1,000 fine after sheep attacked in Cumbria

Dog owners are being warned to keep their pets under control after a number of sheep were killed or injured since the start of the year.

David Lee wanted for waste crime on farm in Moreton-in-Marsh

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a man found guilty of waste offences on a Cotswolds farm after he didn't show up to court.

Disturbances to ground nesting birds by dogs in Fermanagh

Police have increased patrols in the Upper Lough Erne area of Fermanagh following disturbances to ground nesting birds by dogs, and are urging members of the public with any information on the issue to make a report.

Man stole lead from churches in crime spree which caused £460,000 in damage

15 churches were targeted across the Midlands

Craven farmer admits having emaciated animals in his care

A FARMER who faced a catalogue of animal welfare and animal by-product transportation charges is being sentenced in April.

Lincolnshire Police Rural Crime Action Team seize vehicle on A17

Lincolnshire Police Rural Crime Action Team seized the lorry after discovering it had no tax.

Dog seized after attack on police horse in east London

Two policemen on horseback were on patrol in Victoria Park, Hackney when an off-lead dog charged at one of their horses Urbane biting down on his legs.

South West farmers told to be vigilant amid surge in ATV thefts

Farmers in the South West have been told to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police following a sharp rise in quad bikes.

Dead deer dumped on common land linked to suspected poaching

The carcasses of four animals were found in Caerphilly on the weekend

Fuel theft doubled in 2022 reports insurer NFU Mutual

As rising inflation sent fuel prices spiralling, a rural insurer's figures show that theft of oil, diesel and other fuels from homeowners doubled last year.

One such theft was experienced by a retired farmer's wife near Plymouth, Jean Piper.

Thieves emptied Jean's heating oil tank of £2,000 worth of fuel just three weeks after she had filled it.

She said: “It’s a lot of money to pay out again, but more than that it really shook me up to think someone had come onto my property.

“I still feel very nervous about it now, as well as it being a lot of money to lose.”

Jean knew something was wrong when she went to make a meal and her Rayburn cooker didn’t work.

She then realised that the heating wouldn’t switch on either and rang an engineer, assuming there was a fault somewhere.

“The heating engineer said it’s no wonder it’s not working you haven’t got any oil, but I told him that wasn’t possible, as I had not long had it filled,” said Jean.