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Powys County Times
a day ago
- Powys County Times
NFU Cymru calls for Dyfed-Powys Police Rural Crime Inspector
A renewed call has been made for greater police leadership in tackling rural crime in Dyfed-Powys. NFU Cymru is urging Dyfed-Powys Police to appoint a dedicated Rural Crime Inspector to strengthen its response to offences affecting the countryside. The request was made during a meeting held on Wednesday, June 11, at Blaencennen Farm in Gwynfe, Llangadog, as part of NFU Cymru's fourth annual Welsh Farming Week. NFU Cymru's rural crime lead, Garry Williams addressed the issue directly to Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn. Mr Williams said: "We have made a very clear ask of Dyfed-Powys Police to implement a Rural Crime Inspector with a primary focus on criminal activities affecting farmers and rural businesses, particularly organised crime. "The inspector would also have responsibility for managing the wider DPP rural crime team and help ensure a co-ordinated approach across the area. "As farmers, we believe there to be a huge advantage in the person filling this role already being embedded in our rural community and having a good working knowledge of the problems our members are encountering." The meeting was attended by members of the Dyfed-Powys Rural Crime Team and focused on issues including quad bike and machinery thefts, livestock thefts, dog attacks on livestock, and fly-tipping. Attendees highlighted the practical, financial, and emotional impact of these crimes on farming families. There were also reports of threats of violence, raising concerns about personal safety for farmers and their families. NFU Cymru believes a Rural Crime Inspector would help better coordinate the work of rural crime officers and provide a more focused approach to tackling these challenges. The union has also requested a meeting with the new chief constable for Dyfed-Powys Police once the post is permanently filled later this year. While Mr Llywelyn explained that the creation of the inspector role was outside his remit, he committed to raising the request with the Interim Chief Constable and the All-Wales Rural and Wildlife Coordinator, Rob Taylor. He also emphasised that rural crime remains a priority for the force and that changes are being made to improve the speed and efficiency of their response. PC Ashleigh Jones from the Dyfed-Powys Rural Crime Team discussed crime prevention measures and encouraged farmers to consider how criminals operate, taking steps to make theft more difficult. She also stressed the need for all incidents to be reported to police. PCSO Billy Dunne outlined his engagement work with local farmers and demonstrated the use of SelectaDNA marking on equipment, which can help deter theft and assist in recovery. He also advised farmers to fit trackers to high-value items such as quad bikes. Hefin Jones, NFU Cymru Carmarthenshire county chairman, said: "This was a timely meeting given the spotlight that has been shone on areas of rural crime in West Wales in recent weeks. "We are grateful to the Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn and members on the local rural crime team for attending today for a candid discussion about the challenges in tackling rural crime, prevention tactics we can all employ on farm, as well as the opportunities to improve communication and work together." Mr Williams confirmed that NFU Cymru will formalise its request to Dyfed-Powys Police in the coming days.
Powys County Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Powys County Times
Russell George MS supports Wales' 'bold' farming manifesto
A Montgomeryshire MS has shared his support for a 'bold' farming manifesto that has been unveiled. Russell George, MS for Montgomeryshire, has welcomed the launch of the National Farming Union (NFU) Cymru's election manifesto, Welsh Farming: Growing Forward. The manifesto was revealed at the Senedd on Tuesday, June 10, as part of Welsh Farming Week. The launch event, a key feature in NFU Cymru's celebration of Welsh food and farming, highlighted the central role agriculture plays in Welsh communities. The manifesto, which outlines ambitious priorities for the upcoming Senedd election, calls for recognition of the importance of food and farming to every Welsh constituent. It urges candidates and parties to commit to a farm-to-fork food strategy, to back policies that underpin food production, and to promote the sourcing of Welsh produce within the public sector. Additional priorities identified in the document include combatting bovine TB, improving water quality, and securing a protected, multi-annual budget for Welsh farming. After attending the event, Mr George said: "Farming is the backbone of our rural economy. "I was pleased to attend the launch of NFU Cymru's new manifesto and hear first-hand the priorities of Welsh farmers. "It's clear that a strong, sustainable food and farming sector is essential not just for rural Wales, but for the whole country. "I fully support efforts to place food production at the heart of policy-making and to ensure farming communities receive the recognition and support they deserve. "The industry is at breaking point, with farmers being asked to do more for less, with reduced support and increasing environmental demands. "My view is that the UK Government's family farm tax will lead to the breakup of family farms. "Many families will simply have to sell off parts of their farm, making the business less viable. "Rural economies depend on the farming industry. "The consequences of family farms dwindling away is that we will become more reliant on food supplied from outside of the UK. "The Welsh Government also needs to do so much more to tackle the devastation that bovine TB causes. "I believe that a holistic approach to defeating the disease is required; working in partnership with farmers and vets to eradicate the reservoir of infection within herds, eliminate inter-herd transmission and the targeted removal of infected wildlife, who themselves suffer a painful death due to TB."
