Young farmers in Cumbria are to be offered the chance to play a key role in helping to keep rural communities safe.
A unique training package is being developed to support young farmers in identifying practical actions they can take to prevent themselves from becoming victims of crime.
The initiative was developed by Joe Murray, chair of the Cumbria Neighbourhood Watch Association, with Cumbria YFC County chair Robbie Tuer, and has been progressed with the support of the Police Crime Prevention Academy.
Joe said: “Farms and the wider rural communities in Cumbria have increasing become targets of criminals in recent times.
“Cumbria Neighbourhood Watch Association has now created an opportunity where young farmers will be trained in crime prevention this includes being able to carry out forensic property marking that can make a significant difference and prevent owners of expensive machinery from becoming victims of crime.
“I’m delighted that we have developed an initiative that we can work with partners at both a local and national level and will act as good practice for others to follow.
“In addition, we are also introducing the Trespass Scheme that was previously used to good effect to prevent people who have been found on private land and suspected of being involved in rural crime. This initiative was used to good effect some years ago and can be likened to the same type of work that Pubwatch does, ie banned from one, banned from all private property.”
Robbie added: “As chairman of the Cumbria Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs, an organisation of some 1,800 young farmers, the Farm Crime Prevention Initiative struck a chord with me immediately. Although not all our members live or work on farms, most have strong links with their local rural communities and care passionately about supporting and protecting them.
“We are delighted to be involved with this much needed initiative and hope to play an integral part in its development over the coming years. Our young farmers are the present and the future of Cumbria and will play an active and vital role in the development of farming and agriculture in the years to come.
“Through the support and guidance offered by this initiative our farming and rural communities and the people who live and work within them will have the opportunity to develop and thrive in a safe and secure environment”.
The aim is that the training will be taken on by the National Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs as one of the modules that is offered to young farmers across the UK.
