AGRICULTURAL theft and speeding on rural roads were top of the agenda when Central Devon MP Mel Stride met up with Devon and Cornwall’s Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez.

According to the National Farmers Union rural crime rose by three per cent in the South West in 2015 compared to 2014, costing the region £6.1million.

Mr Stride said: ‘The year 2015 saw the lowest overall crime rate in the UK since 1981 but in rural areas the picture is more mixed, with the theft of livestock, for instance, up seven per cent compared with 2014.

‘Farm machinery and tools also remain a target in areas where criminals know they’re less likely to get caught by the police than in urban centres where there’s a higher concentration of officers.

‘I’m grateful for Alison agreeing to look specifically at this issue and for committing to join me in meeting with a local speed watch group to discuss how we can empower communities to tackle speeding in rural areas.’

Full story in Friday’s edition of the MiId-Devon Advertiser