A Fermanagh councillor has called for more steps to be taken to prevent the growing number of rustlers stealing cattle from local farms after “shocking” figures laid bare the scale of the crisis. Mystery shrouds the exodus of cows after it was claimed that over 1,000 cattle were stolen from the ClogherValley area in a year.
Speculation has been mounting over how no arrests have been made in relation to the stolen cattle despite a dedicated PSNI farm crime unit set up to specialise in investigating stolen farm animals.
The figures were released after Fermanagh and South Tyrone MLA Sean Lynch tabled a question in the Assembly requesting the amount of cattle that has been stolen over the past 12 months. Between January 2012 and April 2013 there were a total of 1,037 animals reported stolen in the Clogher Valley Area alone.
Farmers are demanding an explanation over why the rustlers have not yet been caught as fears the figures will only get higher if more is not done to protect livestock. The crime wave has hit parts of Fermanagh including Mullaghfad. Fermanagh Councillor Paul Robinson for Erne East claimed that his neighbour had almost £5,000 worth of cattle stolen in one day.
The DUP councillor said the “shocking” figures could put businesses and farmer’s lives at risk over the stress of losing their livelihood. “A farmer who lives near me in Mullaghfad was targeted by thieves who took some of his cattle,” he said. “The tags were cut off the cattle and were left on the wall. “Seven cattle were stolen and were valued at around £700 each, that’s almost £5,000 worth of cattle gone in one day. “It’s worrying and stressful for farmers who have lost the cattle.
“They spend years rearing the cattle and then they’re stolen, it’s enough for people to take their lives because they depend on the cattle to keep the business going. “Once the animals are stolen it’s reported to the Department of Agriculture (DARD) and the PSNI are notified but that’s as far as it goes.
“That’s the end of the story if they are not insured. “It’s shocking to hear that figure as I didn’t know it was so high. “I thought it was a few hundred but not into its thousands, that is serious.”
In a statement a spokesman for the PSNI said: “Police are committed to working with the community and other agencies to eradicate rural crime, including the theft of livestock. “A number of thefts have been reported in the Clogher Valley and Co Fermanagh areas. “Earlier this year, police carried out a number of intelligence-led searches in relation to livestock theft in both areas.
“We have also launched new initiatives, including a Freeze-Branding scheme and Farmwatch programmes throughout the area. “We urge anyone with information about thefts or the suspicious movement of livestock or machinery to get in touch with police directly.”
Cllr Robinson added: “DARD needs to be doing something with the tags so they cant be removed or produce some kind of mark on the cattle that can’t be touched until they are slaughtered. “It’s similar to what they did with the trailers where a number is given to each trailer and it can’t be removed.
“The department has to come up with something to help stop the numbers from rising. “The PSNI have introduced a special freeze-branding scheme to deter criminals.
“My farming neighbours are facing financial hardship because of lost or stolen cattle. “It’s happening across Fermanagh and South Tyrone, including Fivemiletown, Augher and Clogher.”
(Source – Fermanagh Herald – 06/07/2013)
Cattle Thefts on the Increase, Warns PSNI
Farmers in the east Fermanagh area which, along with the ClogherValley, have experienced incidences of cattle rustling over the past year are fighting back. Roslea farmer, Harold Andrews told the Herald that he and a neighbour who share 66 acres of grazing land over two miles from his home, now had a locked chain on a gate leading up to the farm.
He was reacting to police research which showed that, between January 2012 and April 2013 there were a total of 1,037 animals reported stolen in the Clogher Valley area alone. A PSNI spokesman added there were two incidents where police had no details of the number of cattle stolen. And, in that period, there were 169 incidents of burglary, robbery or theft.
Mr Andrews, speaking to the Herald, quoted three cases where cattle had been stolen from farms at Roslea, at Ballagh Cross and near Newtownbutler. “I am fully aware of it (rustling) because I have signed up to Ringmaster and I’m constantly getting reports of vehicles, machinery and different things stolen. “As for cattle, even a good dropped calf is worth £300-£350. Thank goodness, I’ve never been done, but I have an out farm near Dernawilt, about two and half miles from were I live, 66 acres in all. I have the half of it and a neighbour has the other half. “There’s a gate in the lane leading up to the farm, both of us have keys and we keep a chain and we have it locked. That’s what it’s all about, security.”
He went on: “These people are opportunists, and if they see a handy way to get a few pounds, they will come back. Mr Andrews reported that one of his neighours who had several cattle stolen last year, from an out farm, now kept his gates locked. “The problem is where cattle are on land away from your home, it’s very hard to keep an eye on it. If they’re on land near your own house, there is the possibility you will hear something but, where they’re a distance from home and nobody living near it, these criminals can operate handier.”
With regard to thefts in the Dungannon/South Tyrone area, a PSNI spokesman confirmed that no arrests were made. However, he stated that a multi-agency group has been established by the PSNI comprising representatives from An Garda Siochana, the Department of Agriculture in the Republic of Ireland, DARD, together with PSNI intelligence managers and officers from other affected areas. “The group meets regularly to exchange information and plan operational activity to counteract the problem of cattle theft.” He went on: “The PSNI in Dungannon and South Tyrone have established an excellent working relationship with DARD veterinary enforcement team, and information on cattle theft is exchanged on a regular basis. “A number of intelligence-led searches have been conducted jointly with DARD Inspectors and PSNI in Dungannon and South Tyrone, and joint vehicle check points have also been conducted.”
He added that DARD Inspectors have also been involved in the training of PSNI officers in livestock matters. Cattle reported stolen in Dungannon/South Tyrone area between January, 2012 and April this year include – Clogher 11, and Fivemiletown 5. (The figures, for Dungannon/South Tyrone were obtained by Sinn Fein MLA, Bronwyn McGahan under the Freedom of Information Act).
(Source – Fermanagh Herald – June 2013)
Harold Andrews feeds stock on his farm