Farmer 'concerned' thieves could strike again

Jane Bassett, who has a 180-acre beef, cattle and sheep farm in Hartington, said it costed £600 to replace stolen equipment

A farmer has opened up on the "terrifying" issue of rural crime after having hundreds of pounds worth of equipment stolen.

Jane Bassett says she is concerned raiders could return after they made off with specialised equipment from her farm in the Peak District on the evening of 29 January.

It comes as new Derbyshire Police crime figures show an increase of 45% in agricultural crimes in the past year.

Mrs Bassett, whose farm is in the village of Hartington, said: "It is quite terrifying really [rural crime], because farms are often isolated."

"Quite often farms are down a track, and all crimes have a victim," Mrs Bassett added.

"It is your home quite often. So all in all, it is a terrifying picture."

She added there had been an increase in agricultural crime in that part of Derbyshire - and she believes the spike in the police figures is down to more crime being reported.

Matt Glossop, from B and B Tractors, says he is shocked and upset after thieves tried to steal quad bikes

Police are investigating several other examples of rural crime in the past few weeks.

In the early hours of 5 February, a gang backed a van into the doors of B and B Tractors in Tideswell in an attempt to steal quad bikes.

The van got stuck in the door, and the ram-raiders ran off without getting into the building.

Parts manager Matt Glossop said: "At first I was shocked. Then I was angry. The day after, when I drove to work, I was actually more upset than anything else that someone would try and steal from us.

"I have put my life and soul into this place, so it is more upsetting than anything else."

There were 202 cases of agricultural crime committed in the calendar year running up to 14 February - which is up from 139 the year before, according to the new figures released by Derbyshire Police.

The figures also reveal the number of victims of this type of crime increased from 102 to 187 in the past year.

Mrs Bassett said the owners of a nearby farm had disturbed masked intruders after spotting them on security cameras, and there had also been cases of sheep rustling in the locality.

As chairwoman of the NFU Midlands regional board and the Derbyshire branch, she says members work closely with the rural crime team, and partnership working is key, she adds.

"Quite often, unfortunately, these criminals come back because they know whatever you've had pinched has got to be replaced because it is part of the working assets of your farm," added Mrs Bassett.

'Vulnerability of victims'

Derbyshire Police rural crime officer, Sgt Chris Wilkinson, said: "There has definitely been an increase [in rural crime] in the last year or so."

He added gangs stole quad bikes and motorbikes in rural areas that were often used in other crimes in urban areas, like drug dealing.

"When we differentiate rural crime, it is just a recognition there is a vulnerability of victims that comes with the isolation, either on a farm or a rural property, where you've not got neighbours on your doorstep, everywhere is not covered by CCTV, and potentially a longer response to get to you," added Sgt Wilkinson.

"There is a recognition that crime can be felt differently in rural areas, and that's a big part of what my team look at and focus on."