The Ulster Farmers’ Union has warned Northern Ireland’s farmers to take measures to prevent rural crime, and urged police in Northern Ireland to step up efforts to tackle the growing problem.

In response to the latest figures from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), which cover the last quarter of 2016, UFU is asking the police to commit more resources to tackling rural crime, to prevent the view of farmers and farming communities as “soft targets”.

UFU said individual police officers do their best to engage with farmers, within the limits of the budgetary restraints forced on them, but that senior police figures must recognise that rural areas are exposed, and that they deserve as much protection as towns and cities in Northern Ireland.

The PSNI figures reveal a nine per cent increase in agricultural crime, with livestock theft a major area reported crimes; UFU claims this is “An almost daily problem in some areas”.  Recent figures from farm insurer NFU Mutual also suggest the value of thefts is rising, as thieves target expensive machinery and livestock.

Commenting on the figures on Thursday, UFU’s deputy president, Ivor Ferguson said, “The figures highlight our frustration. We can see from them where the problem is worst – Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon and Newry.  In these areas we need the PSNI to respond to these statistics.”

He said, “Despite much smaller populations and housing density, in many areas rural theft and burglary now account for a third and up to half the crime of this nature. That is simply unacceptable. The judiciary needs to realise that these are not victimless crimes – but crimes that often leave people feeling vulnerable and isolated in rural areas.”