The CLA View
Cath Crowther takes a look at the perennial issue of rural crime
The CLA represents the interests of farmers, landowners and rural businesses and a topic that is often raised with me by our members is rural crime.
Be it fly-tipping, theft of machinery, burglaries, hare coursing or livestock worrying – it is important that the seriousness of these matters is not forgotten. Especially as these crimes can take place in isolated rural areas where the victims can feel more vulnerable due to their remote locations.
Our team regularly meets with police forces in our region to highlight our members’ concerns and to ensure that criminal activity in the countryside is tackled. We have been told recently by one police force, for example, of a rise in livestock worrying in recent months. Officers are now using unmarked vehicles in problem locations to monitor the situation and increase awareness of the risks associated with allowing dogs off leads around livestock.
Attacks by dogs on sheep are not only horrific for the animals involved, but also for the farming families who are left to deal with the aftermath of the incidents. It is not uncommon for pregnant sheep to abort their lambs if they feel threatened or come under attack.
We have also seen some very worrying hare coursing in our region and have met with the Chief Constable of Cambridgeshire Police to discuss our members' concerns. The reckless high-speed driving through rural villages, the ramming of cars, gates and damage to farmland is common when hare coursing takes place. There is a serious risk of someone being injured or killed by the actions of these criminals.
The Sentencing Council has recently opened a consultation on a proposed new guideline for sentencing illegal activities associated with hare coursing.
The purpose of the guideline is to help the courts take a consistent approach to sentencing offences associated with hare coursing and bring together the full range of powers and ancillary orders available to them. The consultation provides an opportunity for victims of hare coursing and their families to share their experiences.
It is right that sentencing guidelines are considered to ensure the punishments for those caught committing this crime consistently match the severity of the incidents. It is something the CLA has been calling for in recent years.
We have already successfully lobbied for hare coursing offences to be introduced under the Police Crime Sentencing and Courts Act in 2022 – which provides the police with greater powers to tackle the crime. However, we still need the police to have the right levels of resourcing and equipment to catch the perpetrators, and then for the courts to be consistent in delivering punishments that fit the crime.
The CLA will be submitting a response to the consultation on behalf of our members and would encourage everyone who has been a victim to share their experiences with the Sentencing Council.