There is a risk that more theft incidents could occur on local farms over the coming weeks, PSNI chief constable Simon Byrne has warned.

Speaking at an online meeting organised by the Ulster Farmers Union (UFU), Byrne said the current risk assessment for agricultural crime was being influenced by darker nights and the cost-of-living crisis. “We are concerned about the potential for fuel and plant thefts to rise. Clearly livestock will become a more precious commodity, so there will be issues there too,” he said.

The latest figures show that 196 crimes related to agriculture were reported to the PSNI during 2021/22 and 47 arrests were made as part of investigations into these incidents.

The number of agricultural crimes in NI continues to follow a long-term downward trend and last year’s total compares to the 937 incidents that were recorded during 2010/11.

However, Byrne urged UFU members not to be complacent with security measures on farms, such as locking sheds that contain high-value items.

“While there is an inconvenience in doing some of these things, sadly there are people around who will exploit opportunities to burgle and steal,” the PSNI chief said.

Border area

PSNI Superintendent Johnston McDowell said the figures show that rates of agricultural crime are higher in areas around the border, with livestock thefts identified as a problem.

“There is particular issue, which won’t be a surprise to you, around thefts of quad and all-terrain vehicles,” he added.

In a question and answer session, concerns were raised about the impact of budgetary pressures on rural policing, particularly with the total number of officers in NI potentially falling from 7,000 to 6,000 by 2025.

In response, PSNI chief constable Simon Byrne said the average response time to 999 calls in NI was seven minutes and this would remain an important benchmark into the future.

“One thing that I do not want to deteriorate is our ability to answer the phone and turn up at emergencies,” he said.