Assets seized “The National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) continues to support us, and this year we are ready to use legislation in new ways against hare coursers, to seize property, as- sets and dogs to make hare cours- ing as difficult, and unattractive as possible. Mr Vickers said police were also worthing with the NFU and Country Land and Business As- sociation to seek changes to leg- islation that would make it eas- ier to combat hare-coursing, with their efforts recognised in parliament.


“


We are ready to use legislation in new ways against hare coursers


them knowing.


Operation Galileo is led by Lincolnshire Police. Chief inspec- tor Phil Vickers, the force’s lead for rural crime, said farmers and other rural residents had a key role in helping the police gather intelligence. “We are in good shape for this


season. Last season was very pos- itive and we are looking at build- ing on that, while also improv- ing our efforts to fight other rural crimes such as theft of machinery and dangerous driving.” Bringing 21 police forces to-


gether meant officers were able to target offenders who caused the greatest harm to rural com- munities by sharing information and intelligence from across the whole of the UK, said Mr Vickers.


Many forces now use drones to monitor and track hare-cours- ers – using footage as evidence in court to secure convictions. Lin- colnshire was among the first to invest in the technology, making drones available for in rural are- as 24 hours a day.


Drone technology


Lincolnshire police and crime commissioner Marc Jones said: “I am delighted the investments I have made in cutting edge tech- nology and equipment specifical- ly designed for use in rural areas is making a difference. “Hare coursers do not just have a negative impact on farming com- munities. The gangs that peddle in this cruel pursuit are respon- sible for other crimes across our rural communities and our road network.”


NFU Lincolnshire adviser Rhonda Thompson said: “Lin- colnshire Police have increased their focus on hare coursing and rural crime in recent years. There have been wins along the way and a reduction in incidents overall, which is really encouraging.”


at Derbyshire practice


Modern properties are usually more energy efficient


Let property: Think long-term about energy efficiency


R


ural landlords need- ing to carry out energy improvements to meet minimum standards for private rented homes are being advised to aim higher. Landlords may want to aim for a higher Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating than is currently legally required in an- ticipation of planned changes to the rules, according to proper- ty specialists Strutt & Parker. The government recently published a consultation seek- ing views on raising the mini- mum EPC rating from an E to a C from 1 April 2025 for new tenancies and for all tenancies by 2028, says the firm. “Although this is currently only a proposal, so the details may change, it clearly demon- strates the direction of travel when it comes to energy perfor- mance standards,” explains Yas- min Peach, graduate surveyor in Strutt & Parker’s Stamford office.


“It feels like a sensible ap-


proach for landlords to consid- er long-term solutions for their rented properties, particularly given the current availability of possible funding through the Green Homes Grant to help sup- port this investment.” Landlords looking for ways


to bring F and G rated proper- ties up to standards may want to consider the steps needed to reach a C rating, rather than E, says Ms Peach. Landlords with a property currently rated D or E may wish to consider a simi- lar approach.


Moving to a C rating is like- ly to be challenging for some farms and rural estates which rent out traditional and listed properties. It is more difficult to reach the required standards in a cost-effective way, without risking damaging the fabric of the building.


But there are circumstanc-


es where it is possible to apply for an exemption. A government consultation, which closes on 30 December, also suggests intro- ducing a ‘fabric first’ approach to making improvements. This would mean prioritis- ing those measures which im- prove the fabric of the building in terms of its energy efficiency, through insulation and draught- proofing, before making im- provements to heat and elec- tricity generation systems. It also proposes increasing maximum amount a landlord will be expected to invest in or- der to raise energy standards from £3,500 to £10,000 (includ- ing VAT).


DECEMBER 2020 • MIDLAND FARMER 27


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