Alicia Kearns MP has co-laid a new clause to the Crime and Policing Bill which makes theft of high value farming equipment an aggravating factor on sentencing.
The amendment co-laid by Alicia Kearns MP, Matt Vickers MP, Harriet Cross MP and Katie Lam MP is as follows:
To move the following Clause—
“Theft from farms
- The Sentencing Act 2020 is amended as follows.
- In Chapter 3, Aggravating Factors, after section 72 insert—
“(72A)Theft from farms
- This section applies where the court is considering the seriousness of an offence specified in section 7 of The Theft Act 1968.
If the theft was of high value farming equipment, the court—
a) must treat that fact as an aggravating factor, and
(b)must state in open court that the offence is so aggravated.
- 3. For the purposes of this section—
“high value farming equipment” is machinery and tools used in agricultural operations to enhance productivity and efficiency, with a value of at least £10,000.””
Alicia Kearns, Member of Parliament for Rutland and Stamford, said:
“The loss of farming equipment at a critical time like harvest can put a halt to production, increase insurance premiums and leave farmers both financially and emotionally affected. Not only does farm theft impact farmers’ businesses, but so often their mental health as their farm is both their home and business.
“That is why I have laid an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill to strengthen the repercussions of rural crime by making theft of high value farming equipment an aggravating factor on sentencing. I hope the Government will accept it.”
