NFU South East Regional Director William White said: “The Chief Constable has listened to concerns from the rural community and, helped by Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott, the force has now been given the necessary resources to deploy an additional six new rural police officers across the county.

"Kent Police faces huge challenges in this large and densely populated county. However, farmers and landowners recognise that they must take steps to protect themselves from becoming victims of crime and work more closely with police.”

Drones

Farmer and landowner representatives of CLA and NFU together with young farmers who joined the meeting at Saynden Farm, Staplehurst and police heard first hand from host farmer Guy Eckley relating his experiences of rural crime, with a group discussion of on-farm security and the use of drones.

CLA South East Regional Surveyor Tim Bamford said: “We appreciate that police have a range of significant pressures, particularly in Kent where making contingency Brexit plans is so important for rural businesses in the county and beyond.

“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.

“Kent Police is 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.”