Rural crime soars in West Lancashire as farms targeted

Apr 7 2011 by Joe Thomas, Ormskirk Advertiser

FARMERS are being hit by a rise in rural crime that is leaving them in fear of desperate thieves.

In the last few weeks thousands of pounds of equipment has been stolen from farmers.

These include a £2,500 horsebox taken from a property on Narrow Moss Lane, Scarisbrick and about 700 litres of red diesel stolen from farms in Mere Brow and Downholland.

Cliff Martland, of Crook Hall Farm, Bispham, was the victim of a trailer theft last year.

He said: “I suppose farmers are easy targets – there are more CCTV cameras in towns and cities than the countryside.

“Obviously people are insured but if there is lots of stuff getting stolen then premiums go up.”

The news comes after Gary Groves, a serial diesel thief, escaped prison despite nine farm raids.

Gary Groves, 43, of Alvina Lane, Tower Hill, Kirkby, avoided prison for two raids on farms at Hesketh Bank and Lathom.

He was given a suspended sentence, 150 hours of unpaid work and a community supervision order at Ormskirk Magistrates’ Court on Monday.

Seven similar offences were also taken into account.

Police are urging farmers to be aware of the rise in rural crime.

To report any suspicious activity to the police, get in touch with them on 0845 1253545.