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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