CONCERN… Lester Downey
A ROSLEA farmer has called on agricultural crime investigators and the PSNI to step up their efforts to help combat the growing number of cattle rustlers in the county.
Last year, farmers reported over 1,000 stolen cattle from local farms, and despite the rising number of thefts, there have been no prosecutions in the county to date.
Lester Downey, a farmer who also hauls livestock, was targeted by cattle rustlers 18 months ago after he returned home one morning to find that six of his livestock had been stolen from a field.
The devastated farmer expressed his concern over the lack of arrests connected to rural thefts in the area saying that police officers are not adequately trained to deal with cattle rustlers.
“I just don’t think police have the correct training to investigate cattle thefts because it’s not like a tractor being stolen where they can trace the tax numbers – it’s a completely different thing and requires a lot more knowledge of agriculture,” he said.
“No one has ever been caught and I would like to think they (police) know what they are working with.
“I don’t believe the PSNI have enough information and education about farming and I think they should have dedicated officers who specifically deal with livestock theft and have background knowledge in farming so they understand the process a bit better.
“I think there needs to be more of a push to search properties and seize items if needs be.
“The thefts aren’t all about money and the loss of cattle, these people get on to our property and violate it and that’s what really gets to me.
“Cattle can very valuable and that’s why they are taking them.”
Mr Downey believes that cattle rustlers have local connections to be able to carry out the crimes and go undetected.
Local UUP councillor Harold Andrews said that agricultural crime is worth a substantial amount of money.
“There have been very few prosecutions in regards to people who have suffered from rural crime. The likes of machinery, scrap steal or scrap batteries, particularly scrap steal, is worth a lot of money. A good trailer load is worth around £200 to £300 and that’s why these areas are being targeted.”
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