Farmers in rural Kent are feeling increasingly isolated and fearful for their safety amid reports of a rise in trespassers.

Young men, armed with catapults and accompanied by dogs are said to be roaming land more and more with speculation they are looking to take out pheasants.

Two MPs heard tales of the personal impact of rural crime on farmers and residents during a round-table event.

The meeting held in Chart Sutton Village Hall last Friday27 was organised by Claudine Russell, who is both a Maidstone Borough Councillor and a farmer herself.

It was attended by Helen Whately, MP for Faversham and Mid Kent, and by Helen Grant, MP for Maidstone and the Weald, as well as by officers from Kent Police, by the Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott, by local councillors, and by farmers from across Marden, Yalding, Staplehurst, Headcorn, Sutton Valence, Chart Sutton, Leeds and Boughton Monchelsea.

Mrs Russell said: "Farmers are increasingly coming across trespassers on their land, who often turn threatening when challenged.

"It's stressful and takes a toll, especially as the farming community is on the whole an ageing one."

She said that there had been an increase in the number of intruders armed with catapults, who may possibly be using them to bring down pheasants.

She said: "Usually they will be in groups of two or three young men, often with dogs. It is intimidating. Especially as you may not even be able to get a mobile phone signal to call the police.

"You could be on your own, miles from the nearest help. In the countryside no-one can hear your scream."

The more mundane problem of equipment theft was also causing financial hardship.

Mrs Russell said: "You may be able to recoup your losses from your insurance, but then the next year the premium is hiked up and these are already tough times for farmers."

Helen Whately MP said: "Rural crime can be so tough on local communities.

"They can feel isolated living in the countryside and it’s really important that police are on hand to help.

"I’ve asked police to do more to support farmers locally, and it was great to hear officers commit to that at our meeting.

"We’ve agreed a set of actions to go away and work on over the next few months which are good for farmers and the wider community.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe where they live, and that’s why we’re putting more police officers on our streets than ever before – including here in Kent.”

Mrs Grant added: "Rural crime has become a serious and persistent blight on the lives and livelihoods of our local farmers, who are the backbone of our rural communities here in the Weald of Kent.

“Incidents of threats and intimidation are commonplace and police responses to 101 and 999 calls are inadequate, particularly when being threatened by a person with a potentially dangerous dog and a catapult loaded with a large ball bearing.

“I will be writing to the Justice department to explore how deterrents can be reinforced and will continue to work closely with stakeholders to crack down on the criminals who cause intimidation, disruption and loss to our farmers.”

Those present at the event agreed a number of action points.

Kent Police committed to increasing the number of officers locally, and to ensuring that each ward has its own named officer.

The Rural Task Force will also be expanded, and 101 call waiting times will be reduced by increasing resources.

In return, the MPs committed to meeting Mark Spencer, the farming minister, to raise the wider issue of the impact of rural crime on farmers, including mental health and wellbeing. They will also be writing to the Justice Department to seek tougher sentences for rural crimes.

The farmers were urged to always report crime direct to Kent Police via 999, 101 or online, as appropriate.

There will be a follow-up meeting in the summer to see what progress has been made.

Mrs Russell said afterwards: "It was a really constructive meeting. Both MPs were really supportive and we have been given some good assurances, but of course Rome wasn't built in a day."