Forces combine in crime blitz
● CHESHIRE police officers have joined forces with their colleagues from across England in a bid to tackle rural crime.
Officers from Cheshire, Staffordshire and Derbyshire Police have been working together closely over the past year to prevent and detect rural issues which can often see a rise during the winter months.
Crimes such as poaching, theft of plants, tools and vehicles such as quad bikes and Land Rover Defenders were discussed as well as how to reduce badger baiting and environmental damage offences.
Officers from all three counties are already running an operation to tackle poaching alongside gamekeepers and representatives from The Peak District National Park and Ranger services to remove or soften the crossed borders.
PC Garry Charnock, a specially trained wildlife and rural crime officer with Cheshire Constabulary, said: “We understand that when a crime occurs in a rural setting, say theft of farm machinery, that there is a huge impact on those affected. How do they do their job to pay the bills?
“It is clear that when livestock is stolen, it has not always been given the attention it deserves and we are working hard to change this.”
This cooperative work to tackle rural crime was still being done throughout March this year, when officers from Cheshire ran an operation to help prevent and detect the theft of lambs and plant machinery. Staffordshire and Derbyshire forces also ran similar operations, which officers discussed together.
PC James Bowler from Derbyshire Police’s Rural Crime Unit said: “We have been established to provide support and reassurance to our rural community. We are striving to work hard to identify and combat rural criminals and will work closely with our partner agencies to achieve this.”
A meeting was held between representatives of the three forces’ rural crime teams, when officers were able to share information and meet other officers they had yet to meet in person, to ensure continued cohesion between the forces.
Sergeant Rob Peacock, from Staffordshire Moorlands Neighbourhood Action Team, said: “We wish to send out a clear message that we will not tolerate offenders targeting our rural communities under the belief that travelling between force areas makes them untraceable or safe from being identified and convicted.
“We have had several successful convictions over recent weeks with some offenders travelling from as far as North Yorkshire and Leicestershire.”
Sergeant Rob Simpson, of Cheshire Constabulary, added: “All three counties are blessed with beautiful scenery that draws visitors from across the country but unfortunately there are some who take advantage and commit offences.
“We want to reassure our rural communities that we are all committed to delivering a high standard of policing for them.”