Livestock worth £2.3m stolen from UK farms in 2020
25 January 2021 |
The cost of rustling fell in most regions but the South West saw a sharp rise
New figures reveal that farm animals worth an estimated £2.3m were stolen from UK farms in 2020, making it one of the most costliest crimes for farmers.
Although the pandemic saw the cost of rustling decrease by a quarter, in the South West region the cost of animals stolen rose by over a third to an estimated £320,000.
Overall, livestock rustling remains one of the most costly crimes for British farmers after vehicle and machinery theft.
The Midlands saw a sharp fall of 44% in 2020 following the prosecution of thieves, who, in 2019, slaughtered large numbers sheep in Northamptonshire.
Warwickshire s Rural Crime Team expands
| Updated: 17:01, 15 December 2020
Warwickshire Policeâs Rural Crime Team has grown even larger with the addition of a new officer with responsibility for South East Warwickshire.
Sergeant Bob Shaw, Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe, PC Kate Taylor and PC Matt Simms (43576018)
PC Matt Simms has become the eighth member of the team and joins PC Kate Taylor in covering this area of the county.
In addition to gaining a new member, the team has also been boosted by the arrival of a new 4x4 vehicle, enabling it to better navigate difficult rural terrain in the county.