Rural Crime Update

There are many crimes which are impacting rural communities across the south west. But one of the most prevalent at this time of year is hare coursing. In the last few weeks many have experienced criminal damage to their gates and fences and large-scale damage to their fields as a result of offenders driving their vehicles across the winter crops in search of hares. Not only does this results in loss of earnings for farmers, the same farms or rural locations are often repeatedly targeted by hare coursers, causing fear and intimidation in those communities. However, it is a crime that forces across the region are seeking to tackle, making arrests and seizing vehicles associated with those suspected of carrying it out.

• Officers from the Wiltshire Rural Crime Team were patrolling Salisbury Plain when a car was located unattended with an empty rifle case inside. Checks were carried out by officers who discovered the vehicle was linked to a person involved in multiple poaching offences. The car was taken from the scene by police.
• Three people were arrested after a car smashed through gates on farmland in the Wiltshire. Officers were deployed to the scene and, following searches, found a car containing three people along with three dogs, dog cages and further equipment associated with hare coursing. The car they were found in has been seized by the force.
• Stroud Rural Crime Officer carried out targeted patrols of the Stroud and Cotswold policing areas in and around known hotspots for hare coursing and received a report from the local community. Although the suspects fled the scene prior they left without their car. The vehicle was seized. It was the third vehicle in less than a week believed to have been used for hare coursing in less than a week.
• Patrol officers from East Dorset and Purbeck arrested three individuals on suspicion of offences, including poaching, which are believed to have taken place on farmland in the Alderholt area. Officers will continue to investigate this matter and hope to pass positive news in due course.

The CLA South West regularly attends rural crime meetings across the region and keeps up to date with the latest from each area. Most recently we met with a senior team from Gloucestershire Police, including Temporary Chief Constable Maggie Blyth and Police and Crime Commissioner Chris Nelson, whilst Inspector Adam Gill from the North and East Dorset Neighbourhood Team and Rural Crime Team, attended our Dorset Branch committee meeting to give an overview of rural crime, and how members can help them tackle issues.

One of the key messages that we are hearing from these meetings is that crimes must be reported. This helps the police build up a bank of intelligence to understand where their resources would be put to best use.

The CLA prides itself on supporting farmers, landowners and rural businesses ensuring that they have a say on a variety of important rural matters. Regular communication with outside organisations such as police forces ensures that their concerns continue to be heard.

If you have experienced rural crime and feel that you need advice, please the south west office on 01249 599059.