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BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Rural crime gangs 'scoping out' farms to steal equipment, NFU says
Organised crime groups are "scoping out" farms in order to steal equipment including quad bikes and 4x4s, Wales' leading farming union has said."They know where these items are and they often know where the keys are kept, so it can be very intrusive," said Abi Reader, National Farmers' Union (NFU) Cymru's deputy cost of rural crime fell across the UK in 2024 except in Wales where it rose by 18% to £2.8m, NFU research shows – however this was also one of the lowest figures across the Police said it was aware of the worry caused by rural crime, and would continue with operations and targeted patrols across the force area. As well as organised crime, rural crime issues include livestock theft, dog attacks and fly tipping, according to Reader, 43, described it as an "enormous issue" in Wales, ranging from everyday items being stolen to livestock attacks by dogs and damage to crops caused by also said the theft of quad bikes, which can cost several thousand pounds, was a particular issue."They seem to be high on the list of organised crime, and there are a lot of them in Wales."We're a livestock nation, and they're essential for day-to-day working life, so when they're stolen it has a huge emotional and financial impact."She added farmers were also concerned about the potential for thefts to happen "again and again and again"."These things come in waves, and we know organised crime groups are operating in communities. They're scoping out farms and they know where these items are," she said. Some farmers are increasing their own security by installing CCTV and placing trackers on their vehicles, but Ms Reader said police needed to place more resources on rural by the NFU said the total cost of rural crime in the UK fell by 16.5% last year from £52.8m in 2023 to £44.1m in 2024, praising the "power of collaboration" between farmers, police and figures show a fall in the cost of rural crime in all parts of the UK except in Wales, where it increased from £2.4m to £2.8m, a rise of 18%.Wales had the third lowest cost for rural crime in the UK in 2024, with only Northern Ireland (£1.8m) and Scotland (£1.2m) being lower, while the Midlands was the region with the highest cost at £8.1m. Garry Williams, 55, who runs a farm near Llangadog, Carmarthenshire, said he had had equipment such as chainsaws, farm tools and fencing materials stolen, as well as said organised crime groups will steal "anywhere between 12 to 15 quad bikes in the area, and that could be all over Carmarthenshire". "They'll strike in one area, and then move somewhere else," he said, adding there were concerns that some of these groups were becoming "more determined" and more willing to use violence."It does cause mental stress... it's not a nice feeling someone coming onto your farm, your property, at night," he Williams added livestock theft was also an issue, some of which was "farmer-to-farmer"."They'll load them up in the night and steal them and try and pass them onto an abattoir or the livestock market," he issues he raised were fly-tipping, particularly in remote areas, as well as dog attacks on livestock resulting from improved access to footpaths in rural areas."You can have the nicest dog in the world, but people often don't want to put them on a lead, and if they attack they can cause some really nasty injuries," he said. Mr Williams said he believed police resources was an issue when it comes to tackling rural he was positive about collaboration with Dyfed-Powys Police, including a recent meeting with the police commissioner, he urged the force to put more resources into the issue including having an inspector dedicated to tackling rural crime."It works when the infrastructure is in place, when there are officers who know about rural crime, but it can feel like a postcode lottery. What we want is consistency of that structure," he Police said it was "aware of the significant impact that crimes of this nature have on victims and the worry it can cause to the wider community".A spokesperson said officers from its rural crime team visited farms to conduct "crime prevention audits", while also providing DNA-marking kits to help protect "valuable equipment and machinery"."We will continue with operations and targeted patrols across the force area, however given the huge area we cover, it is difficult to be everywhere," they said.
Powys County Times
11 hours ago
- Powys County Times
Police investigate as 15 sheep stolen from Powys field
More than a dozen sheep were stolen from a field in Powys, leading the police's rural crime team to appeal for information as they investigate. Dyfed Powys Police's rural crime team are investigating the theft of 15 Welsh mule ewes of mixed ages. The livestock were taken from a secure field near the B4386 between Abermule and Caerhowel, sometime between June 15 and June 17. Police have launched an appeal for information that could help with the investigation, encouraging anyone with relevant information on the theft to get in touch. Writing on social media, a spokesperson for Newtown and Llanidloes Police said: 'If you saw anything suspicious in this area during this time - or could have any information that could help - please get in touch.'
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Explosive substance charge for Timothy Jones from Llanelli
A man has appeared in court after explosives experts were called to a residential street to make a device safe. Timothy Jones, 57, from Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, has been charged with possession of an explosive substance for unlawful purpose, and possession of a firearm. A Dyfed-Powys Police explosive ordnance disposal team were called to New Dock Road in the town on 11 June. Mr Jones appeared at Llanelli Magistrates' Court on Thursday, where he was remanded in custody, and will next appear at Swansea Crown Court on 21 July. Officers initially put up a 100m (382ft) cordon around the area for public safety, with people told not to return to their homes as they dealt with the a number of hours, residents were allowed to return home.
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Newgale teenager guilty of campsite car crash
A teenager has pleaded guilty after crashing his car into a campsite in 2023, police have Hale appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on Tuesday where he admitted to four counts of causing serious injury by dangerous 19-year-old has been released on bail and will be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court in people were injured and taken to hospital as a result of the crash in Newgale, Pembrokeshire. Mr Hale, from Simpsons Cross in Haverfordwest, was driving a Ford Fiesta and had passengers in the car when the crash took Police said the incident occurred just after 22:30 BST on August 12 car went over a ditch and rolled into a tent that had a baby asleep inside at the baby escaped serious injury as it was in a cot, according to the campsite owner following the incident. Mike Harris told the BBC he "couldn't believe" the speed of the car after reviewing the CCTV footage of the the time, the road's speed limit changed from a 60mph (100km/h) to 30mph (50km/h) just beside the entrance to the campsite, with tents just a few feet away from passing Hale will be sentenced at Haverfordwest Crown Court on either 11 or 12 July.
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Wales Online
Body of man found near Welsh dock
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Police have launched an appeal after the body of a man was found near a Welsh dock. The tragic discovery was made on Sunday. A Dyfed Powys Police appeal said: "Dyfed-Powys Police is appealing for information after the body of a man was found near to the river at New Dock, Llanelli on Sunday, June 15. Officers attended the area after receiving a call at 12.15pm. "The death is not being treated as suspicious at this time but we're carrying out enquiries to establish the circumstances surrounding the death. "We are also aware that images of this incident have been circulating online. We ask that you do not share them out of respect for the man that has sadly died." Anyone with information that could help enquiries, is asked to contact the force at 101@ 101. Quote ref: 155 of 15th. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously by calling 0800 555111, or visiting Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now Find out what's happening near you
