Concerns have been expressed that rural homeowners, including farmers, remain soft targets for criminals across Northern Ireland.

The Ulster Farmers Union has pointed to the latest statistics from the PSNI regarding rural crime as highlighting existing frustrations.

Amid a 9% increase in agricultural crime, the union says livestock theft is an almost daily problem in some areas.

It also points to figures from the farm insurer NFU Mutual as suggesting the value of thefts is rising, as expensive machinery and livestock are targeted.

The figures highlight our frustration, UFU deputy president Ivor Ferguson said.

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.

The judiciary needs to realise that these are not victimless crimes but crimes that often leave people feeling vulnerable and isolated in rural areas.

UFU deputy president Ivor Ferguson

Mr Ferguson added that, when it comes to theft and burglary, such crimes in rural areas now account for at least a third of the number of incidents despite having smaller populations and housing density than urban areas.

That is simply unacceptable, he said.

The union further noted added the frustration for farmers when those charged with rural crimes appear before the courts only for sentences to fail to reflect the impact of their crimes.

The Ulster Farmers Union says it will continue to press the PSNI to focus more resources on tackling rural crime, while recognising that individual police officers do their best to engage with farmers within the limits of the budgetary restraints forced on them.

The UFU says those drawing up budgets must recognise that rural areas are exposed, and deserve as much protection as towns and cities in Northern Ireland.

Last updated Thu 16 Feb 2017

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Call to tackle rural crime as farmers 'soft targets' | UTV - ITV News - ITV News