DEVON and Cornwall Police's rural crime unit released their latest figures around rural crime this week, as they reflected on their work in their first 2023 newsletter.

This rural crime data relates to crime reports over the last four months. You will see from the graph that crime reports are dominated by livestock worrying offences and account for 32 offences over the period, 45% of the total offences.

Equine crime came out at 25% of the total crimes, or 18 reported. However, this did not include animal theft and mostly consisted of criminal damage to fencing, theft of transport and other crimes where the venue is equine related.

Farm machinery, plant and vehicle theft was reported to be 13% of the total, with nine offences including the theft of machinery, plant and tractors. Quad bikes are listed separately at four offences.

Whilst farm machinery, plant and vehicle theft within Devon and Cornwall remains at low levels we continue to monitor the national picture where plant theft and the theft of Agricultural GPS systems continue to be a theme.

A spokesperson for the Devon and Cornwall Police said: 'These numbers although still significant and an unacceptable impact on farmers and livestock show a month-on-month decrease in livestock worrying incidents compared to last year.

'A sustained partnership campaign in affected areas to tackle this issue will have assisted in these reductions. We continue to target these areas to raise awareness and encourage reporting.'