Sinn Féin MLA Chris Hazzard has said the PSNI must deploy more resources if it is to reverse the increase in crimes against farming and rural the rural community.
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Chris Hazzard MLA has questioned the amount of resources being deployed by the PSNI to address rural crime.[/caption]
Mr Hazzard said: “The latest report from NFU Mutual shows that there has been a 15% increase in crime against farmers. This vindicates the position Sinn Féin took in demanding a separate PSNI unit to deal with this type of crime.
“Over the past year we have seen a rise in the planned stealing of livestock and heavy plant equipment as well as opportunistic criminals targeting sheds and farmyards.
“However, the police unit dealing with this type of crime consists of only four people. If we are serious about tackling crime against the farming community then more resources need to be given to this unit.
“I intend to get this matter raised at the Policing Board to how we can best protect the farming community as they go about their daily business.”
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