The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) has joined forces with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and the Belfast Hills Partnership to tackle rural crime in the surrounding areas.
The announcement was made at the Belfast Hills Stakeholder meeting, which was hosted recently by the UFU.
The meeting invited farmers and other stakeholders to “strengthen cooperation, improve reporting and identify practical measures to protect farmland, livestock and rural communities from ongoing disruption and damage”.
According to the UFU, illegal activity in the Belfast Hills is having a “serious impact” on nearby farmers, with the union welcoming a “more collaborative approach” on the issue.
Deputy president of the UFU, Glenn Cuddy said: “Illegal trespassing and unauthorised quad and scrambler use, are all issues that cause significant stress for farmers.
“We are hearing from members who are having property damaged, livestock worried and in some cases suffering financial losses as a result.
“Beyond the financial impact, there is also a very real emotional toll and concern for personal safety, with some farmers experiencing threatening and intimidating behaviour,” he added.
Cuddy also noted that the UFU will continue discussions around strengthening legislation in this area.
He said: “The UFU will be progressing discussions around legislative change relating to the illegal use of quads and scramblers with our politicians.
“Farmers have a right to feel safe on their land and operate without a fear of damage, disruption, intimidation, or criminal activity.”
Belfast Hills Partnership
Dr. Lizzy Pinkerton, who is a manager of the Belfast Hills Partnership, noted that the surrounding landscape serves a “peaceful haven” for the local community and wildlife with its public sites.
In addition to public sites, she stated that the private sites provide “important land management, employment opportunities and economic benefits, while also providing space for nature to thrive”.
However, according to Dr. Pinkerton, dangerous driving of quads and scramblers has put these sites in jeopardy.
She said: “Unfortunately, dangerous driving of vehicles such as scramblers, and indeed the criminal damage involved in breaking open gates and fences, does nothing to add to this work
“In fact, illegal scrambler use can have a fatal impact – one life has already been lost to the illegal use of scramblers on public land in the Belfast Hills.
“We would like to uphold the memory of those lost by preventing this from ever happening again,” added Dr. Pinkerton.
The UFU is reminding all farmers to remain vigilant and to report all incidents to the PSNI immediately.
