Police say farms are target for gun thieves

ShootingUK is the complete shooting resource for the British shooting community. From shotgun licence and shotgun certificate information to gun reviews, game shooting, clay shooting and more.

Home
News

| Next

Police say farms are target for gun thieves

Police urge ST readers to be extra vigilant following a spate of shotgun thefts

By Selena Masson

Wednesday, 18 February 2009

Police urge ST readers to be extra vigilant following a spate of shotgun thefts

Thieves appear to be targeting farm buildings across the country for high-value shotguns, according to police.

“The numbers of shotguns stolen from rural, isolated farms have seen a marked increase,” West Sussex police’s detective constable Christopher Howbery-Gale told ST. He added: “I appreciate security can be hard on farms, but I urge shooters to make sure that cabinet keys are not left in an obvious place.”

This call for vigilance comes as several shotguns were stolen during a burglary in the Steyning area of Sussex on 4 February. Two Lancaster shotguns worth £7,000 each were stolen, as well as a Radcliffe shotgun worth £1,500 and an AYA shotgun worth £500.

Other police forces have also experienced an increase of firearm thefts from farms. A spokesman for Lincolnshire police said that shotgun theft is an on-going problem in the county: “In fact, we are investigating the theft of two £5,000 shotguns which were stolen from a farm on 11 February. Thieves broke in through a window and removed a shotgun cabinet from a wall and forced it open. Farms tend to be an obvious target as there is a high chance the occupants will be certificate holders.”

The rest of this article appears in 26 February issue of Shooting Times.

What is YOUR opinion?

Join other ST readers in our forums to discuss your views.

Like this article? Mark this page on a social bookmarking website...

What are social bookmarking sites?

FACE flies the flag for hunters

The agreement will reinforce co-operation in land ...

New Deer Branch for National Gamekeepers’ Organisation

Modelled on the existing NGO Moorland Branch, the ...

Guns

Blaser Professional R93 rifle review

Blaser Professional R93 rifle review: This Blaser Professional R93 rif... Read more

Sporting Answers

How do I train my dog with a whistle?

Full-time gundog trainer and A-panel spaniel judge... Read more

News

Docking law exemption for terrier racing

Terrier shows will continue, but in altered format ... Read more

Comments

Mike Hemingway

Fri, 3rd Dec 2010 14:29:54

I am afraid I look forward to the day when one of our legislators or basically, any do gooder will suffice, finds that he or she has been the subject of a burglary, and the house of said victim has been reduced to the condition of a tip, by the perpertrators. Perhaps then, we will get action to ensure that punishment for a dwelling house burglary involves a realistic and severe penalty and not "understanding" and "meaningful murmurs" from those in the defence team, and those frequently misguided and sad people, who seem to beleive that when a burglary happens to someone who has no real influence in the system, the offence is of little consequence. Perhaps our legislator might benefit from experiencing a little burglary related violence at the same time, just so he can find out that this sort of thing warrants more than "Community work" that never gets done, or being told by the judge how dissapointed he is that the numerous chances already given were not taken advantage of.But I wait in vain, I think.

What's in this issue?

Don't miss this week's issue (on sale Wednesday 1st February). FREE PRIZE DRAW - it is week 3 of our great "Gun a Week" competition, see P53 for further details and how to enter! Plus, who is top dog? Paul Rawlings reports on the 2012 Cocker Spaniel Championship. Get down to your newsagents and buy your copy today!