NFU Mutual funded police officer takes up fight to stamp out livestock theft
The UK’s first national livestock theft officer has launched a new initiative to tackle livestock theft.
Funding provided by the UK’s leading rural insurer NFU Mutual has enabled the National Rural Crime Unit (NRCU) to recruit Martin Beck, who has 30 years of policing experience in the field, as its first UK-wide livestock theft prevention officer.
His new role involves gathering livestock theft-related intelligence across the UK, though a new initiative code named Operation Foldyard. It will gather and share information on new theft trends and work with local police forces to build cases and help secure convictions.
Martin’s appointment comes as the toll from livestock theft reached an estimated £2.7 million in 2022, according to the latest figures from NFU Mutual.
Martin Beck said: “From my new base at the National Rural Crime Unit (NRCU), I will be working to ensure information is shared between the police forces and their key partners.
“To help coordinate activity, the NRCU is introducing Operation Foldyard, which will share intelligence between police forces and partners including in the farming industry.
“As the intelligence picture grows, I expect to see individuals involved in livestock theft targeted and disrupted.
“For many police officers, livestock theft is outside their crime-fighting experience, so part of my role is working with police forces across the country to help them understand the crime and how to investigate it so that more successful prosecutions can be brought.
“Livestock theft is also a cause of food crime and can present a risk to public health as the quality and safety of stolen meat products cannot be guaranteed.
“Livestock theft needs to be exposed for the harm it is causing, and the people involved are criminals. We are regularly seeing both small and large numbers of thefts across the country.
“While larger thefts can be high value and devastating for that farmer’s business, finding one or two of their flock butchered in their fields can be just as distressing.”
Matthew Screech, NFU Mutual’s lead on livestock claims, said: “Livestock theft causes horrific suffering to animals which are often treated badly by thieves and sometimes even slaughtered out in the fields.
“Martin’s experience as a rural police officer in Devon and Cornwall makes him ideally qualified to take up the role of the UK’s first national livestock theft prevention officer and we are delighted to be providing funding for his new role.
“Livestock theft is no longer about single animals being stolen – it’s now a highly organised crime often involving 50 or more sheep being taken in one raid. It can have a devastating effect on farming businesses, as well as causing huge worry to farmers about the welfare of their stolen animals.
“As the main insurer of the UK’s farmers, we support a range of initiatives set up to tackle the growing menace of rural crime because we know it’s an issue which deeply concerns farmers and country people.”
NFU Mutual Livestock Security Guide:
- Ensure stock is clearly marked and records are up to date
- When possible, graze livestock in fields away from roads or consider housing them inside
- Check stock regularly - and vary times of feeding/check ups
- Consider a high-tech marking system
- Report information about livestock theft confidentially to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 www.crimestoppers-uk.org
- Report information about illegal processing to the National Food Crime Unit on 07800 028 1180 www.food.gov.uk/contact/businesses/report-safety-concern/report-a-food-crime
- Join a Farm or Rural Watch scheme to share information about rural crime in your area
- Ask neighbours to report any suspicious sightings to the police
- Dial 999 immediately if an incident is taking place - do not approach criminals
