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WITH POLICE NUMBERS drastically cut and police themselves understandably demoralised and de-motivated , many of us feel we have little protection against those who have no respect for law or any kind of authority , and who take sick pleasure in the suffering of others , whether helpless creatures or people . Most police resources are spent on towns and cities , so the countryside – which is so difficult to police anyway – is always going to be vulnerable .

Farmers are urged to do as much as they can to protect their livestock and property , but it is an uphill struggle when there are so many demands on their time , energy and resources .

It would not be at all surprising to see vigilante groups forming in a bid to protect decent people from crime and anti-social behaviour , especially in rural areas . Farmers everywhere are outraged and sickened , as we are , by these two attacks ,

just weeks apart . They are disgusted too , at the worrying increase in dog attacks on livestock – in one single horrific incident a farmer lost 116 sheep , in another , 40 lambs .

CRIMESTOPPERS ( ANONYMOUS ) 0800 555 111 .

Plans to hold a second march in London , the day before the EU referendum , will surely leave nobody in any doubt about the prevailing mood of UK farmers most of whom are under intolerable pressure in

a year that is proving to be disastrous for some .

For instance , the RPA recently announced that some 9,000 farmers are still waiting for their money after five months – but would now receive 50 % Treasury-funded bridging payments . This will not , say farm leaders , save some farmers from financial meltdown .

RPA chief executive Mark Grimshaw assured the NFU that all farmers would be paid in full by the end of June .

Value Single Tractor On Fleet

£ 3000

£ 107.31

£ 72.94

£ 7000

£ 177.82

£ 122.52

£ 15,000

£ 296.00

£ 231.18