The National Rural Crime Network is calling for an overhaul of the way rural crime is dealt with. It's commissioned a new report which says serious organised criminals are increasingly preying on rural communities and highlights hare coursing, the theft of tractors and livestock and fly tipping as having major impacts. The report from Durham University says these crimes are often carried out by 'prolific rural offenders' linked with illegal drugs rather than being opportunistic. Heritage crimes like stealing ancient stone or lead from church roofs have risen according to a new report by Historic England and the National Police Chief's Council. However there's been a fall in unlawful metal detecting. Nighthawking as it's called, sounds rather romantic, but for farmers finding people metal detecting on their land without permission at night is anything but, with threats and violence from criminals searching for valuable historic artefacts. We hear from one Yorkshire farmer who helped capture a gang of four who were sentenced at Hull Crown Court earlier this month. We also speak to a former detective and archaeologist who's now in charge of tackling heritage crime at Historic England.All week we're looking into the many, often imaginative, ways byproducts and waste from agriculture are turned into something useful. On one farm site in Stirlingshire they're turning whisky waste into fish food. Scientists have found a way to turn yeast into Omega-3 using algae and say the vital oils produced this way could help save depleted feed fish stocks, boost Scotland’s salmon farming industry and give a clean, efficient way to dispose of the waste. Presenter = Charlotte Smith
Producer = Rebecca Rooney

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14/03/24 Organised gangs and rural crime; Heritage crime and nighthawkers; Salmon feed from whisky byproducts.

Farming Today