Charity Crimestoppers is appealing for information about rural crimes after an increase of 14 per cent in the incidents.

The organisation is urging people to come forward with anonymous information about incidents such as illegal hunting across Thames Valley, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

The appeal comes after in the year to April 2021, Crimestoppers nationally received nearly 2,700 anonymous reports about rural crime. Bosses at the charity say this 14% increase it suggests a degree of under-reporting of incidents.

Last year the charity passed on over 9,000 anonymous pieces of information from people in Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.

From its latest claims’ statistics issued earlier this month, The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society Limited, estimates that rural theft cost the UK a staggering £43.3m in 2020 and £7.1m for the South East region.

Some anonymised examples of information the charity has recently received from across the UK include:

• A named man is using aggressive dogs to carry out illegal hunting of deer and game including rabbits. He goes hunting across the fields at named location.

• Local tradesmen at (address given) are burying asbestos in earth mounds on the field (as given). They are also dumping and burning rubbish.

• Named men all involved in the theft of plant machinery from building sites and farms. They are involved in stealing diggers, caterpillars, bobcats and tractors that do not have trackers on. They have been doing this for many years. They sell the stolen goods to others including across Europe.

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Annabelle Goodenough, South East Regional Manager at the charity Crimestoppers, said: “Our charity knows how damaging crime in the countryside can be: to local communities, to rural businesses, to farmers, wildlife and the environment. “Every day we hear from people who are in the know about those involved in damaging our beautiful countryside across Thames Valley, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire areas, but there is so much more we can do. By telling us anonymously what you know, whether you live or are visiting rural areas, your information can help make all the difference."

To report rural crime 100% anonymously, visit the charity’s website Crimestoppers-uk.org and fill in a simple and secure anonymous online form or call their 24/7 UK Contact Centre on freephone 0800 555 111, 365 days of the year. In an emergency, always call 999.