Latest news with #AmandaMcKirdy
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Police plea to report rural crime
Police say rural crime is going unreported as there is "a lack of confidence" that anything will be done about it. Cumbria Police has appealed to remote communities to still tell them about incidents involving fuel or machinery theft and poachers, but also to report things like suspicious cars and activity to help build a bigger picture. Rural crime Sgt Amanda McKirdy said officers "can't possibly be everywhere all the time, but the local community are". "We're really trying to kind of crack through some myths out there that 'no-one cares' or 'no-one will do anything'. We absolutely do care," she said. National Farmers Union (NFU) Mutual's latest crime report estimated the north-west of England incurred £2.9m in rural crime costs in 2024. The insurance firm said offenders had become "increasingly organised, serious and persistent" in recent years. Sgt McKirdy said there had been a historic "lack of confidence" in policing in rural areas. She said: "If they don't have any CCTV, if no-one's seen it, they might think 'we're not going to be able to do anything, anyway. In which case, what is the point?'" "People have one bad experience and that kind of sticks with them." Letting it go unreported runs the risk of playing into the criminal's hands, Sgt McKirdy said. The force's rural crime team, which was established in 2023, also encouraged residents to report out-of-place people and vehicles. She said community intelligence, however innocuous, had helped the team track offenders. "We're not always going to be able to attend every report there might be of a suspicious vehicle, but we need to know about it," Sgt McKirdy said. People can get in touch over the phone or online portals, she said, adding: "We'd rather know - or be told 10 times - than not be told at all." Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. More like this Dozens of vehicles stopped in rural crime crackdown How to tackle 'entrepreneurial' rural criminals? New policing team launched in bid to cut rural crime Related internet links Cumbria Police
BBC News
3 days ago
- BBC News
Cumbria Police plea to report rural crime
Police say rural crime is going unreported as there is "a lack of confidence" that anything will be done about Police has appealed to remote communities to still tell them about incidents involving fuel or machinery theft and poachers, but also to report things like suspicious cars and activity to help build a bigger crime Sgt Amanda McKirdy said officers "can't possibly be everywhere all the time, but the local community are"."We're really trying to kind of crack through some myths out there that 'no-one cares' or 'no-one will do anything'. We absolutely do care," she said. National Farmers Union (NFU) Mutual's latest crime report estimated the north-west of England incurred £2.9m in rural crime costs in insurance firm said offenders had become "increasingly organised, serious and persistent" in recent McKirdy said there had been a historic "lack of confidence" in policing in rural said: "If they don't have any CCTV, if no-one's seen it, they might think 'we're not going to be able to do anything, anyway. In which case, what is the point?'""People have one bad experience and that kind of sticks with them."Letting it go unreported runs the risk of playing into the criminal's hands, Sgt McKirdy force's rural crime team, which was established in 2023, also encouraged residents to report out-of-place people and said community intelligence, however innocuous, had helped the team track offenders."We're not always going to be able to attend every report there might be of a suspicious vehicle, but we need to know about it," Sgt McKirdy can get in touch over the phone or online portals, she said, adding: "We'd rather know - or be told 10 times - than not be told at all." Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Yahoo
Dog owners warned as sheep attacks rise in Cumbria
Dog owners have been warned after a rise in sheep attacks in Cumbria. The National Farmers' Union (NFU) and Cumbria Police have urged people to keep their pets under control in the countryside. This comes after an increase in attacks on sheep, which is believed to be partly due to a surge in dog ownership during the coronavirus lockdown. As the lambing season begins, the NFU and police are working to encourage pet owners to follow the Countryside Code and ensure their dogs are kept under control. The most recent NFU Mutual data shows that, nationally, the claims costs of dog attacks on farm animals rose to more than £2.4 million in 2023. This is a 30 per cent increase compared to the previous year. Cumbrian farmers are also reporting a significant rise in incidents. NFU Cumbria chair John Longmire said: "There was a big rise in dog ownership in lockdown and many people don't understand what can happen in the countryside when they don't have control of their dogs. "Sadly, the situation has been getting worse. "It does have a financial impact on the business, but the animal welfare issue is the main concern. "It is really awful to see the animals suffer in this way, and it is upsetting for the pet owners who just didn't expect their dog was capable of such things." Livestock worrying, which includes barking, chasing, biting, and killing, is a criminal offence. Dog owners could be liable for prosecution or a fine under the Animals Act 1971. Incidents can cause anxiety, miscarriage, and injuries among flocks. Sergeant Amanda McKirdy, of Cumbria Constabulary's Rural Crime Team, said: "We urge dog owners to keep their pets on leads around livestock. "The majority of dog owners do take care around livestock, but it's extremely important to follow signs and stick to footpaths. "It is also important to check your properties and gardens are secure when you have dogs." The NFU and its members have campaigned to tighten the legislation around livestock worrying. Aphra Brandreth, Chester South and Eddisbury MP, presented The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill last year. This was welcomed by the NFU and aims to give the police greater powers to deal with problem dogs and respond to livestock worrying more effectively. If passed, the Bill would also broaden the scope of legislation to incorporate livestock such as alpacas and llamas, as well as widening the enforcement area to include roads and paths. Mr Longmire added: "At this time of year many ewes are lambing, and these sheep and offspring are highly vulnerable, and we have an individual and community responsibility to ensure that we all get to enjoy our countryside without causing distress and harm to livestock."
