Police training days upskill officers to tackle rural crime

Police officers in Leicestershire have been gaining an insight into rural crime and the latest methods to tackle it during specialist training days.

Leicestershire Police’s Rural Crime Team hosted two rural crime prevention training days to build knowledge and enhance skills for officers who cover rural areas.

The training focused on some of the key issues affecting the rural and farming communities of Leicestershire and Rutland.

See also: Farmers told to turn farms into fortresses to fend off fuel thieves

PC Rob Cross discusses Cesar Datatag security marking © Leicestershire Police

At one event, the team of three rural crime officers invited neighbouring force areas and covered topics, including Ifor Williams trailer identification, Cesar Datatag ID security marking technologies, basic livestock handling, farm familiarisation and legislative updates.

Guest speakers included the NFU and a representative from machinery dealer Farol, who discussed the emerging issues around tractor GPS dome and control screen thefts.

PC Rob Cross talks about trailer theft prevention © Leicestershire Police

Safety message

Warwickshire farmer James Chapman – who lost his left arm after his jacket was caught in a pto shaft during a farming accident in 2005 – spoke to officers about the work being done by Yellow Wellies/Farm Safety Foundation to improve farming’s poor safety record.

Farmer James Chapman gives farm safety talk © Leicestershire Police

Officers also visited farm equipment supplier RES Tractors, in Melton Mowbray, where they had the opportunity to get hands-on with machinery and identify the use of individual bits of kit.

The visit looked at vehicle identification number (VIN) locations on machinery and the different values of kit, as well as the financial and psychological impact rural crime can have on victims.

Megan Peberdy, an agricultural lecturer from Moulton College, Northamptonshire, was on hand to provide expertise during both days. Local farmers also attended the events.

‘Lost hours and stress’

PC Rob Cross, who is part of Leicestershire Police’s rural policing team, helped to co-ordinate the event.

“More officers with a knowledge around rural crime means a better service for victims of crime,” he told Farmers Weekly.

“The impact of crime on the victim is often significant – lost hours on the phone to police and insurance.

“Lost time in the field and the added stress means that if we can train more officers to better understand the wider implications, we can start moving towards providing a better service to the rural community.”