NEIGHbourhood watch
Volunteer rangers on horseback will tackle rural crimewave
THEY might not be the Lone Ranger and Tonto of TV fame, but they are being hailed as the new “eyes and ears” of the law.
A new pioneering band of crimebusting rangers on horseback will patrol the countryside to combat a nationwide surge in rural offences.
The Sussex Equine Rangers are a volunteer force of camera-equipped riders who are now monitoring Mid Sussex on their own steeds, acting as spotters for the police.
Originally launched as a pilot scheme, the team – dubbed The Mounties of Midhurst – has now been expanded to 14 volunteers.
They will be tackling rural crime and anti-social behaviour in collaboration with Sussex Police’s newly formed Rural CrimeTeam.They will alert police in areas inaccessible to regular officers. Rural crime in the county rose 25 per cent from January 2020 to 533 offences in June. Similar rises have been reported across the country. Burglary, theft of equipment and fly-tipping are some of the offences.
A rural crime team made up of two sergeants, eight constables and six police community support officers was launched last year.
They are working to increase confidence and encourage reporting through preventing crime and carrying out more proactive investigations. In two months, they patrolled more than 10,000 miles of rural roads in Sussex and made 181 intelligence logs.
They have also successfully executed several warrants, including the recovery of stolen historic items (some worth up to £30,000) and located wanted suspects.
Now the new rangers will cover areas like the South Downs National Park, being able to see over hedges, into gardens, ride along bridleways and through wooded and more remote areas.
The team was initially funded by Police Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne in 2015.
But it has received further funding this year from both Mrs Bourne (£3,500) and Sussex Police (£500) to pay for the new uniforms, training and equipment. Mrs Bourne said: “I’m delighted to be able to help fund this innovative crime prevention scheme in Sussex. I know that our rural and village communities can sometimes feel abandoned. “Since the lockdown, there have been many disturbing reports of fly-tipping and expensive equipment theft as well as other crimes affecting the countryside such as hare coursing and poaching. I want to reassure our rural residents that these crimes will not be ignored.” Chief Inspector Steve Biglands said he was keen to eventually roll out the scheme to cover all of Sussex. While all riders are expected to volunteer for a couple of hours a week, most ride their horses daily. Ranger Darren Bullock said: “We’re delighted the scheme is now permanent and want to take the opportunity of the relaunch to grow the team covering a wider area in collaboration with the rural crime team.”