FARMERS, police, firefighters and the parish council, have teamed up in Coughton to try and stop the increase in barn fires in the area.
Over the last 12 months, hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of hay and straw has been destroyed, which has caused obvious distress to the farming community in Coughton and Sambourne.
With little evidence to go on, Warwickshire Police have been unable to catch any offenders, but the residents of Coughton are being asked to keep a keen eye out for any suspicious activity on public footpaths, or make notes of suspicious vehicles in the area.
John Gittins, chair of Coughton Parish Council said: “We know that rural crime is on the increase, but arson on this or any scale is just mindless vandalism. Local farming is a vital section of our community, and we are fully committed to giving it all the support available to protect it.”
Anyone who sees anything they think is suspicious, should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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