Recent months have seen a significant upsurge in thefts from farms in the areas around Tywyn, Dolgellau and Bala, with high value items being stolen in significant numbers.
Victims of crime
Many families have been affected by the spate of thefts and all have highlighted the vulnerability they feel as they are often victims of crime in very isolated locations.
Members outlined how they had lost vehicles and how this had altered the way that they live, adopting stronger security measures but also how it affects the family’s reaction to unknown vehicles and individuals that visit their locality.
Rural policing
The Chief Constable outlined her experience of working in a senior role at forces that had a large rural area that needed policing. She highlighted a need to understand how the force currently reacts to rural policing and criminal investigation to better understand how this can be addressed in the future. Three weeks into her new role at North Wales Police and in response to the current wave of thefts, she felt that it was important to meet up with representatives of rural and farming communities to discuss the matter with urgency.
North Wales Police Chief Constable Amanda Blakeman said: “I appreciate that these recent thefts deprive farming families of the tools that they need to carry out their work, there is significant cost and inconvenience when these items are stolen. I shall be looking at how we react and investigate any crimes, but I also wish to see North Wales Police work with the farming community to identify ways to safeguard and protect these high value items.”
Hedd Pugh, Chairman of NFU Cymru’s Rural Affairs Board said: “The spate of thefts in south Gwynedd over recent months has shocked and angered many in the farming community, with many feeling frustrated by the scale of the thefts and the difficulty in having recovered items being returned to farm. We hope that the police will be able to trace, arrest, charge and prosecute the individuals involved and curb this worrying trend as soon as possible.”
