The Animal Rising’s ‘Stop the Supply’ campaign in September 2022 saw the Müller’s Bridgwater site being blockaded by protestors, leading to temporary milk shortages in some retailers across the UK.

Each of the activists was handed a £666 compensation order, payable to Müller, a £114 victim surcharge, and 60 hours of unpaid community work, Countryside Alliance reported.

Though they were originally acquitted in January last year due to insufficient evidence, the six protesters were subsequently found guilty after the Crown Prosecution Service successfully appealed the decision this year.

Daniel Juniper, 30, a former nursery practitioner from Bristol and one of those convicted, claimed: “The climate emergency negatively impacts on our food system in the form of flooding, droughts and yield losses. It is vitally important that the industry recognises that it’s in their interest to move to sustainable alternatives.”

Animal Rising describes itself as a ‘social movement’ that calls for the transition to a plant-based food system and a ‘mass rewilding programme’.

‘Dairy is enjoyed by vast bulk of public’

Commenting on the sentencing, Mo Metcalf-Fisher, director of external affairs at the Countryside Alliance, said: “It is right that the offenders have been brought to justice. The public are fed up of being impacted by a handful of obsessive and warped activists.

“Dairy is enjoyed by the vast bulk of the public, and any attempt to disrupt the supply chain must be met with the full force of the law.”

The protesters targeted several dairy processors in 2022.

At Arla Foods’ Hatfield site, activists broke into the dairy distribution centre and caused £100,000 worth of damage, CA confirmed.

A Hertfordshire court then fined 13 of the activists a total of £56,785 for conspiracy to cause damage.

The Countryside Alliance said it will continue to call for robust enforcement of the law to clamp down on harmful and disruptive animal rights activism.

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Earlier today, 10th July, it was discovered that damage had been caused to crops in a field in the Cerne Abbas area.

Police constable Kate Schofield of the Rural Crime Team said: “This act of criminal damage has had a significant financial impact on the farmer.

“I would ask anyone who may have information about the damage caused to please come forward and contact Dorset Police.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police online or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55250100180. Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.

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Warwickshire Rural Crime Team confirmed that in December 2024, two dogs attacked several sheep owned by two farmers from the Warwickshire region and one from a different force area.

A spokesperson for the rural team said: “Livestock worrying has a serious effect on farmers, who not only lose animals immediately, but may continue to suffer losses weeks or months later. Shock can cause complications with births, especially if ewes are in-lamb at the time of the incident.

“In this case, that’s exactly what happened. Several sheep from different farms were killed by the dogs, and the shock caused further damage and losses afterwards.

“Not only did this cost farmers valuable in-lamb ewes, but also time and money repairing fencing, removing the affected livestock, and more.”

The officers said that with help from the community, they were able to identify a suspect and carry out an investigation.

‘Keep dogs on leads’

The force said that the suspect made a “full and frank admission” and complied with a series of conditions, including full compensation of nearly £11,500 to the affected farmers and specific measures relating to the dogs.

“Please help us prevent future incidents. Keep dogs on leads near livestock. Together, we can protect our rural communities,” the officers concluded.

READ MORE: Lancashire: Man arrested following dog attack on sheep

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The farmer estimates that more than 40 lorry loads of rubbish were dumped on a farm located on the outskirts of St Albans over the course of three nights from 7th June 2025. He is now worried about the financial and environmental impact of this rural crime.

With farmers and landowners often legally responsible for removing rubbish, despite being the victim of the crime, the farmer, who wants to remain anonymous, estimates he could be faced with a bill of more than £40,000 and has concerns for wildlife on his farm following the incident.

He said: “It is just devastating. This is not covered by insurance, and there is just no way that I am going to be able to pay this – I don’t know what I am going to do.

“There is a week’s work here to clear it all as well. I have fly-tipping here every week, but I’ve never had it on this scale.

“Farming is hard enough at the moment, and I know many other farmers in Hertfordshire who have had industrial-scale fly-tips on their land. The situation is getting worse, and it disrupts our ability to produce food and care for the countryside.”

Hertfordshire farmers targeted

Asbestos, cannabis waste, timber and office furniture are among the items left on the farm. The farmer explained that the rubbish has ruined an area of land that had been set aside to provide food for farmland birds and improve their numbers through the Sustainable Farming Incentive.

Hertfordshire farmers have been plagued by fly-tipping for many years, with organised criminal gangs dumping industrial-scale tips on farms on a regular basis, the NFU confirmed.

The union is now calling for an urgent meeting with the leaders of all of Hertfordshire’s district councils.

The NFU said it is also working closely with Hertfordshire Police, the police and crime commissioner (PCC) and the Environment Agency and is applying for funding for the farmer through the PCC’s Fly-tipping Fund, which is used to help victims of the crime.

In addition, the union members have written to St Albans MP and deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats Daisy Cooper to raise awareness of the recent incident.

NFU county adviser for Hertfordshire Josh Redford said: “This is another shocking incident of fly-tipping, which is becoming all too common in Hertfordshire. The NFU is taking a very proactive approach to address this and is working closely with local authorities and stakeholders.

“We are calling for an urgent meeting with all district council leaders in Hertfordshire as the next step, and we are determined to fight for our members and ensure the people responsible are brought to justice, at the same time deterring others from carrying out this serious and damaging crime.”

The latest annual Rural Crime Report has recently been published by insurers NFU Mutual. This shows that the cost of rural crime in Hertfordshire rose by 15.5% last year to £1.23m. The cost of rural crime across the UK fell by 16.5% last year to an estimated £44.1m.

‘Completely out of control’ crime

NFU member Will Dickinson, who runs a neighbouring arable farm, has been hit by fly-tipping himself on countless occasions and is supporting the farmer dealing with this incident. He said that fly-tipping in Hertfordshire is “completely out of control”.

“The local authorities are doing their best, but they need to be better resourced. We need to see more arrests and convictions and the full extent of the law used to properly punish the people who do this. When they are caught, the fly-tippers are often given a fine which is less than the cost of a skip.

“The farmers, who are the victims of the crime, are left to pay thousands of pounds clearing the waste, which is completely unfair and a travesty of justice.

“This has far-reaching consequences and is a blight on our countryside,” he continued.

Hertfordshire police and crime commissioner Jonathan Ash-Edwards concluded: “Fly-tipping on this scale is a disgrace. It has a huge impact on our countryside and can be financially devastating for victims.

“While local councils have the lead responsibility for the investigation and prosecution of fly-tippers, the police will support councils and the Environment Agency with intelligence capabilities, and this collaborative approach is essential.

“Fly-tips of this magnitude are often linked to organised crime gangs, who profit significantly from these illegal activities. I fully support the maximum possible sentences being imposed on offenders when they are brought before the courts.”

PCC Ash-Edwards confirmed that to support the clean-up of this site and help prevent future incidents, he is exploring whether the incident that happened near St Albans is eligible for support through the Fly-Tipping Fund operated by his office.

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NFU highlighted that years of coordinated efforts between police, farmers and government are starting to make a difference – but must go further to protect farming families across the country. 

With fly-tipping and dog attacks also still commonplace, the union members said that more must be done to build on this momentum and turn progress into lasting change. These crimes not only hit farmers’ livelihoods and blight the countryside, but they also take a deep personal toll on those affected. 

Discussions between MPs, farmers, police and crime commissioners and rural crime experts at the NFU’s Summer Reception yesterday centred on the importance of cross-sector collaboration, highlighting the critical importance of working together to deliver the NFU’s practical plan of action designed to bring tangible improvements to rural communities. 

The NFU called on government and policing bodies to build on the legislative progress it has helped deliver by maintaining and strengthening support for the National Rural Crime Unit, improving funding for rural forces and introducing new legislation to keep pace with changing criminal methods. 

READ MORE: Rural crime cost countryside £44.1m in 2024

‘Rural crime is still damaging lives’

NFU vice-president Rachel Hallos said: “We know that when everyone pulls together – farmers, police, government and local leaders – we can achieve real, practical results. 

“Progress on hare coursing, equipment theft and livestock protection, driven by years of dedicated NFU lobbying, shows what’s possible. But it mustn’t stop there. Rural crime is still damaging lives and businesses every day, and farmers need to know their concerns are being taken seriously and acted on. 

“Our Investment and Innovation Blueprint4 sets out what is needed: better enforcement, properly funded rural policing and the tools to stop these crimes before they happen. 

“Farmers deserve to feel safe in their homes, businesses and fields. Rural crime is not just about property. It’s about lives, livelihoods and the future of British farming.” 

Minister for crime and policing Dame Diana Johnson added that the impact of rural crime is not just financial loss – it strikes at the heart of our farming communities and their way of life.  

“We have provided new funding this year to boost collaboration across police forces to target organised crime groups stealing farm equipment, and are delivering on the Equipment Theft Act, which will make it harder for criminals to sell stolen agricultural equipment. 

“But as this report shows, more needs to be done. Through the forthcoming Rural and Wildlife Crime Strategy and Safer Streets Mission, we are determined to ensure the needs of rural communities are met with more visible and responsive neighbourhood policing,” she concluded. 

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Published today, 16th June, NFU Mutual’s new report reveals that rural crime cost the UK an estimated £44.1 million in 2024, which marks a decrease from £52.8 million in the previous year. 

The total claims cost for agricultural vehicle thefts reported to the UK’s rural insurer fell 35% to an estimated £7 million last year, with global positioning system (GPS) units experiencing the largest cost decline, down 71% to £1.2 million following their spike in 2023. 

Quad bikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) remained top targets for thieves, despite falling 16% to an estimated £2.7 million.  

Given the distinct characteristics of farmland, especially in upland areas, these vehicles are essential for farmers to navigate their fields and complete tasks efficiently, making their theft particularly disruptive, especially during busy seasons. 

Unfortunately, the very advantages that quad bikes and ATVs provide to farmers also make them prime targets for criminals.

‘Increasingly organised, serious and persistent in nature’ 

Livestock theft remained high in 2024 at an estimated cost of £3.4m across the UK, NFU Mutual confirmed. A crime that dates back centuries, it has followed the wider trend in rural crime, becoming highly organised and often involving 50 or more sheep taken in a single raid.  

These incidents not only have a devastating impact on farming businesses but are also deeply upsetting for farmers and their families who are left worrying about the welfare of stolen livestock.  

UK farm animals worth an estimated £1.8 million were severely injured or killed in dog attacks in 2024, down by more than a quarter compared to the previous year. 

Hannah Binns, rural affairs specialist at NFU Mutual, said: “In recent years we’ve seen rural crime becoming increasingly organised, serious and persistent in nature, with thieves willing to pull out all the stops to get what they desire, and sadly we saw that trend continue in 2024. 

“Although we must stay alert, it’s encouraging to see that the estimated UK cost of rural crime dropped 17% to £44.1m as we continue to collaborate with industry and law enforcement to tackle this urgent issue. But we know there is always work to be done when it comes to rural crime. 

“As a farmer’s daughter, I sadly have first-hand experience of the fact that rural crime goes beyond disrupting farm work and impacting food production. It has a real impact on the mental wellbeing of farmers and their families, causing severe stress and sleepless nights as the rural community lives in fear that those responsible might return. 

“Co-ordinated efforts from insurers, farmers, manufacturers, police, industry and lawmakers are crucial in delivering a unified response to the rural crime challenge posed by organised criminals and opportunistic thieves – and we can see from our new report that this unified response can bear real dividends. 

“United, we can confront rural crime with strength.” 

National Rural Crime Unit

For over 20 years NFU Mutual has campaigned on the scourge of rural crime, and the far-reaching impact it has on affected communities. The insurer is now a proud major funder of the National Rural Crime Unit (NRCU). 

Working hand-in-hand with the NRCU, NFU Mutual operates a dedicated team which shares claims data and insight, helps to identify areas at risk and finds theft patterns to assist recoveries. This kind of collaboration saw the National Construction and Agri Theft Team, which sits under the NRCU, seize £4.4 million worth of stolen agricultural vehicles and machinery in 2024. 

Last year NFU Mutual also funded the UK’s first livestock theft officer within the unit until at least 2027/28 to tackle this upsetting crime. 

To help farmers and rural communities protect their livelihoods from the threat posed by organised crime, NFU Mutual has provided over £400,000 on rural crime-fighting initiatives in 2024. 

READ MORE: Stolen machinery worth hundreds of thousands of pounds found in Durham

READ MORE: East Northamptonshire: Appeal launched following tractor theft

Read more rural crime news. 

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Officers from Rossendale’s Rural Task Force arrested the man after he allowed his dog to run off the lead in an agricultural field where multiple sheep gazed.

Two sheep were injured during the incident. The dog, a one-year-old German Shepherd, was seized by officers and remains in police care.

The man has been bailed pending further enquiries, the force confirmed.

READ MORE: Decapitated sheep found by a member of public in Suffolk

‘All dogs are capable of chasing, injuring and killing farm animals’

Latest figures from NFU Mutual estimate that farm animals worth almost £1.8 million were severely injured or killed in dog attacks in 2024, a fall of 26% compared to the previous year.  

NFU Mutual also found that 57% of owners let their dogs off lead in the countryside but, worryingly, only 40% admitted their pet always comes back when recalled.  

A total of 43% believed their dog was capable of causing the death or injury of livestock, up 11% compared to the previous year’s survey. 

And if present at an attack, just over half would intervene to stop it, while 20% would tell a local farmer and 17% would call the police. 

NFU Mutual rural affairs specialist Hannah Binns said: “All dogs are capable of chasing, injuring and killing farm animals, regardless of breed, size or temperament. Dogs that attack farm animals are often impossible to call off, and bites can kill and seriously injure livestock.

“Even if the dog does not make contact, being chased can cause stress and exhaustion, as well as separate young lambs from their mothers, which can lead to them being orphaned. 

READ MORE: Farmers encouraged to report livestock worrying incidents to help raise awareness

How to prevent dog attacks?

To prevent dog attacks on farm animals, NFU Mutual is urging walkers to: 

• Keep dogs on a lead when walking in rural areas where livestock are kept— but let go of the lead if chased by cattle. 
• Be aware that all dogs, regardless of size, breed, and temperament, can cause the distress, injury and death of farm animals. 
• Report attacks by dogs to the police or local farmers. 
• Never let dogs loose unsupervised in gardens near livestock fields – many attacks are caused by dogs which escape and attack sheep grazing nearby. 

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Mr Gaine was reported missing from his home near Kenmare, Co. Kerry, on Friday 21st March 2025. The 58-year-old sheep farmer was last seen in Kenmare town at approximately 11:00 am on Thursday 20th March.

In mid-May, Gardaí confirmed that the officers found partial human remains.

The man’s body was supposed to be dismembered and dumped in a slurry tank. The tank was then emptied and spread across several fields, Belfast Live confirmed.

On Sunday, 18th May, a man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of murder, but he has since been released without a charge.

Remains found

At the end of last week, Gardaí recovered a chainsaw from Mr Gaine’s farmyard and sent it for forensic analysis.

Investigators suspect that the chainsaw may have been used to dismember the farmer’s body after he was murdered at his farm.

Gardaí believe that Mr Gaine was killed near the cowshed in his farmyard at Carrig East soon after he was last seen at Whyte’s Centra Shop in Kenmare on 20th March, media reported.

On Sunday 25th May, Gardaí confirmed the identification of Mr Gaine’s remains and appealed to the public for assistance in the investigation.

READ MORE: Updates released in relation to Michael Gaine’s murder

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Mr Gaine was reported missing from his home near Kenmare, Co. Kerry, on Friday, 21st March 2025.

The 58-year-old sheep farmer was last seen in Kenmare town at approximately 11:00 am on Thursday, 20th March.

At the end of last week, Gardaí officers found partial human remains.

The farmer’s body was supposed to be dismembered and dumped in a slurry tank. The tank was then emptied and spread across several fields, Belfast Live reported.

On Sunday,18th May, a man in his 50s was arrested on suspicion of murder but he has since been released without a charge.

READ MORE: Man arrested in relation to murder of Irish farmer Michael Gaine

Chainsaw recovered

The Irish Times has just confirmed that Gardaí have recovered a chainsaw from Mr Gaine’s farmyard and have sent it for forensic analysis.

Investigators suspect that the chainsaw may have been used to dismember the farmer’s body after he was murdered at his farm.

Gardaí believe that Mr Gaine was killed near the cow shed in his farmyard at Carrig East soon after he was last seen at Whyte’s Centra Shop in Kenmare on 20th March, media reported.

READ MORE: Search continues for missing Irish farmer Michael Gaine

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Operation carried out by the North Yorkshire rural task force and local police officers, with support from Durham Constabulary, has seen a huge haul of stolen machinery being recovered on 10th and 11th May. 

The force called the action a “clear demonstration of its ongoing commitment to tackling rural crime and cross-border criminality”. 

The items were found across the border at a rural location in Durham. 

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: “This successful recovery is a testament to the power of cross-border partnership working and the specialist knowledge of our rural task force, who work tirelessly to protect our rural communities from organised criminal activity.” 

Speaking after the recovery, sergeant David Lund of the rural task force, added: “These are not victimless crimes; stolen equipment and vehicles cause huge disruption to local livelihoods, especially in the agricultural and construction industries. Working with our colleagues in Durham, we were able to track down and recover a large haul of stolen items and prevent further harm. 

“Tackling rural crime remains a major priority for North Yorkshire Police. Offences such as theft of machinery, plant, and vehicles can have a devastating effect on residents, farmers, and businesses across the county.  

“While progress is being made, we know that rural crime often goes unreported. We’d urge anyone who thinks an offence has been or is about to be committed, even if you’re unsure, to report it. Your information can make a real difference.” 

You can report incidents on our website or by calling 101. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers via their website or by calling 0800 555 111. 

“Even if you are not sure a crime has been committed, we would rather hear from you and assess the information ourselves,” the force concluded. 

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