Rural crime

Nottinghamshire Police have launched an appeal to catch the people responsible for the ’brutal slaughter’ of 18 lambs in a ’savage’ dog attack, which were discovered dead or seriously injured by a distraught Warsop farmer.

The animal welfare charity has renewed its call for dog owners to be more responsible and keep their dogs on leads near livestock after two separate incidents within a week.

Amending Government legislation can be like turning an oil tanker around – slow, frustrating, sometimes impossible.

A farmer has expressed hope that the prosecution of a professional dog walker involved in two separate sheep worrying incidents will raise awareness about the consequences of dog attacks on sheep.

Automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology could be utilised to crack down on litter from McDonald’s in Norfolk.

Rural groups have welcomed the Government’s Action Plan for Animal Welfare which could see police gain greater powers to tackle livestock worrying crimes.

Farmers have been urged to be aware of scams after a young farmer was conned out of £8,400 in a fake tractor purchase.

Chef Jamie Oliver has hunted down his stolen tractor following a midnight raid of his Essex estate and an ’unimpressive’ police response. 

Farmers’ mental health has been adversely impacted by sheep worrying incidents, with feelings of anxiety, anger, stress and frustration running high, according to a National Sheep Association’s (NSA) survey.

The CLA has urged Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) candidates to do more to protect rural communities from crime ahead of the local elections on May 6.