NEW approaches to stop vulnerable farms being hit by further crime spates are being explored by police who vowed to clamp down on rural raids, the Chronicle can reveal.

According to the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), 2020 and 2021 saw a reduction in thefts from farms - a decrease attributed to long spells of Covid-19 lockdowns - before incidents started to climb again in recent years.

Parish councils in Barnsley - which represent the town’s most isolated villages such as Shafton and Penistone - suggest rates have surged by more than a third which led police to go back to the drawing board.

As part of Oliver Coppard’s dual mayoral and police commissioner role, he will set out his wider four-year priority plan at a meeting at Barnsley Town Hall next week, where he is set to discuss rural crime.

A report, which will be discussed by the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel on Monday, said: “In respect of rural crime, the priority includes a clear commitment to ensure that we bring people together.

“This includes South Yorkshire Police, councils and those living and working in rural communities.

“It will enable us to develop and implement new approaches to ensure that farms and other rural businesses are protected and supported.

“We will work with the local authority to develop innovative solutions for rural communities.”

It’s been alleged that organised crime rings have been identifying farms - seen as easy targets due to their isolated settings and easy road routes out of the county - with the use of drones before targeting tractors, Land Rovers and quad bikes.

Coun Hannah Kitching, who represents Penistone West - one of the hardest-hit wards for rural crime - praised the response and hopes more resources will provide assurance.

“Some people, particularly farmers, often feel like sitting ducks due to the more isolated nature of locations and they’re often caught between neighbouring police forces,” she told the Chronicle.

“Thieves know that and have taken advantage of the quiet roads as well as easy routes in and out.

“There needs to be a more joined-up approach from the police as we have South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and Derbyshire forces all closely linked.

“I have some people in my ward who live in South Yorkshire but their land stretches into West Yorkshire - the criminals who target these people know all about that and they’re not going on a whim, their break-ins are planned.

“Penistone is a huge area to police and unfortunately there are not enough officers in this part of Barnsley.

“Farmers who have been impacted by rural crime are very effective at talking to each other, sharing CCTV and anything untoward, but they deserve help so this is a good move.

“Hopefully more police presence will be seen where it really is needed.”

Mr Coppard added: “I promised to focus on those issues and challenges which are hurting people, families and businesses every day, and to confront the legacy of lost trust and low confidence that can sometimes undermine the relationship between people and the police.

“This plan starts to put those priorities into action, setting out what we are going to do to build a South Yorkshire where everyone feels safe and secure, whoever, wherever they may be.”