Rural crime needs to remain a top priority for police, an organisation that looks after farmers and landowners has said.

Members of the CLA and National Farmers Union (NFU) met with Thames Valley Police chief Francis Habgood last month to talk about the importance of working together to tackle crimes such as fly-tipping and farm thefts, which cost farmers and landowners thousands of pounds each year.

During the meeting in Oxfordshire on November 28, hosted by Martin Brown, farmers and landowners heard how Thames Valley Police gathers intelligence from reports of rural crime and works with neighbouring police forces.

It comes after government figures revealed there were more than 2,000 fly-tipping incidents recorded in south Bucks in the past year, with the CLA saying the true figures are likely to be “significantly” higher as the statistics do not include incidents on private land where the landowner is responsible for clear-up costs.

NFU south east regional director William White said: “The chief constable outlined the challenges he faces and the vital role that farmers and landowners can play in protecting themselves from becoming victims of crime.

“Despite ongoing funding pressures, the chief committed to tackling rural crime by enabling the right response to be deployed in the right place at the right time.

“He confirmed that Thames Valley Police’s delivery plan still has rural policing at its heart.”

The meeting included a discussion on issues arising from traveller encampments and incursions, farm security and thefts of high value tools and machinery.

Thames Valley Police also received an update on agricultural policy and the economic outlook from the two organisations.

CLA South East regional director Robin Edwards said: “We appreciate that police have a range of significant pressures, but we want to ensure that tackling rural crime such as fly-tipping, hare coursing and machinery theft remains a top priority, as it affects so many landowners and farmers.

“Thames Valley Police are a pro-active force and we look forward to continuing to work closely together in the future.

“We would urge all victims of crime to report incidents and not let them go unrecorded.”