Rural police teams join forces to crack down on regional crime
© Tim Scrivener Joint efforts by five police forces in the South West have resulted in a crackdown on rural crime, making it harder for criminals to operate across the region.
High-visibility patrols, static stops and reassurance visits to rural businesses and farms were conducted in the area west of Bristol to the Wiltshire border, when police forces from Avon and Somerset ran a joint operation with colleagues from Devon and Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.
See also: Cross-border rural crime clampdown launched in the North
Officers stopped more than 30 vehicles and checked for correct identification. Ten farms and rural businesses were also visited as part of the initiative and crime prevention advice was provided to rural and farming communities.
Supported by the National Rural Crime Team, the operation successfully recovered a quadbike in Surrey that was stolen from Wiltshire.
According to the NFU Mutual Rural Crime Report 2024, the cost of rural crime increased by 4.3% year-on-year in 2023, to £52.8m.
Criminal gangs are targeting farmyards and fields looking to cash in on continuing high inflation and ready resale markets, domestically and overseas.
Inspector Dan Ashfield from the rural crime team, said: “Increasingly, we are seeing these crimes committed by organised crime groups who travel across borders.
“Partnership working with our neighbouring police services is crucial to tackling this and keeping our rural communities safe.”
This will be an ongoing partnership between the five services – Avon and Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.
With criminals operating across borders, this partnership work will be key in tackling the theft of agricultural machinery, equipment and vehicles.
It will also be utilised to target other areas of rural crime.
“We also know that under-reporting of rural crime still happens.
“If you have been impacted, or if you have information which may help us, please get in touch,” added Inspector Ashfield.
To report a crime, go to the Avon and Somerset Police website, or call 101.