Rural crime focus of new network
Anewnetworkhasbeensetupto help develop innovative ways to tackleruralcrimeacrossSussex.
The Rural Partnerships Network has been set up by Sussex Police, with Chief Constable Jo Shiner and Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne in attendance at its launch.
Ch Cons Shiner thanked Mrs Bourne for providing initial funding for the Rural Crime Team in June 2020, expressing her pride in and support for the team’s work despite considerable other demands on policing.
Mrs Bourne spoke to the assembled guests – including farmers, landowners and representatives from bodies such as the South Downs National Park and the Environment Agency – to affirm her own support for the team.
She said: “With 62 per cent of our county designated rural or super-rural, I have long known this is an issue we couldn’t ignore. Both the Chief Constable and I fully understand the need for a specialised team to address rural crime in Sussex because of its impact on the livelihood and quality of life of residents and workers.
“Many of the approaches by ourruralcrimeteamaregroundbreaking and I know how much thatworkisappreciatedbythose of you in this room. Hopefully we may even be able to grow the team further from its current size of 20 members, already the largest of its kind in south east England.”
The assembled guests watched a demonstration of drones used by the team and listened to a talk about how drones have become an invaluable tool to tackle crimes in the countryside. Their ability to search across inaccessible locations in safety is particularly useful.
Other topics of discussion thewiderangeofissuesaffecting attendees – fly-tipping, theft of machinery or vehicle parts, dog theft and incursion onto land to carryoutillegalactivitiessuchas poaching or hare coursing.
Attendees also heard about recent successful outcomes achieved by the rural crime team. One woman in West Sussex was fined over £2,500 for allowing her dog to worry sheep, causing injury and distress to a flock of animals. This sum included compensation for the farmer.
Mrs Bourne said:“It was encouraging to see attendees from all over Sussex representing so many different facets of land management and rural communities. Effective partnership working is the way ahead and I know our Rural Crime Team in Sussex will continue to go from strength to strength with the support and help of people and organisations around the county.”