Heavy-handed punishment will urge farmers to report rural crime - councillor

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Launching the rural crime campaign from left: Inspector Leslie Badger, Superintendent Brian Kee, Sinead Simpson from the Department of Justice, Barclay Bell from Ulster Farmer's Union

By Iveren McCallion

A councillor says the judicial system will have to step up to boost the farming community's confidence in reporting rural crime.

He was speaking after an event in Markethill was launched to encourage anonymous tip-offs.

Crime figures in rural areas rose only slightly in 2016 compared with 2015, according to Agricultural and Rural Crime Update.

But Armagh councillor Sam Nicholson says the farming community needs more than statistics to encourage them report thefts:

Sinead Simpson from the Department of Justice is working with victims to address the issue:

 

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