Rural crime week: PCCs call to crack down on organised crime gangs 

 
The pledge comes during National Rural Crime Action Week, a campaign that is running from 21st to 25th October 2024 to highlight the importance of local authorities, the police and rural communities to work in partnership to combat rural crime. 

PCC Donna Jones said: “There is an immediate and growing threat from organised crime gangs. These groups are not opportunistic thieves.  

“They perform meticulous supply and demand operations, stealing items to order, such as quad bikes or plant machinery and shipping them overseas. These criminals are serious, organised, and international.” 

Agile and robust response

Black market gambling, hare coursing, poaching, fly-tipping as well as the theft of livestock and agricultural machinery are also having a devastating impact on farmers and landowners.  

According to the National Farmers’ Union, rural crime cost the UK £52.8 million in 2023, marking an increase of 4.3% on the previous year. It includes a rapid 137% rise in GPS thefts. 
 
The Police and Crime Commissioner’s commitment to tackling rural crime includes a £1 million investment in boosting intelligence capability, area cars in rural areas, and named Local Bobbies for every rural community. 
 
PCC Jones added: “I’ve also invested in the most effective technology available to police forces across England and Wales with cutting-edge drones to track offenders, and mobile Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras that the police can move around in rural areas. 
 
“This means Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary can provide an agile and robust response covering thousands of square miles and can monitor cross border activity to stay one step ahead of the gangs.” 
 
The Police and Crime Commissioner’s new police and crime plan will focus on further protecting rural communities with a commitment to increase the number of police officers in rural areas. 

‘I see you and I hear you’

In an open letter, Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner Dan Price is also urging equipment manufacturers and the government to take action to reduce expensive and essential GPS device theft from farm vehicles. His plea has been backed by five Cheshire MPs. 

Dan Price and the MPs, together with the National Farmers Union (NFU), the National Rural Crime Unit (NRCU) and local farmers came together to discuss and highlight the issue of serious organised crime and its impact on the agricultural community.  

They signed a letter that calls on agricultural equipment manufacturers to retrospectively add forensic marking on GPS devices, quad bikes, tractors and excavators to deter theft and aid with tracking stolen goods. 

The letter also asks the government to ensure legislation is fit for purpose by revising the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023 to include modern immobilisation and forensic marking on all of the above equipment. 

PCC Price said: “Rural communities can often feel that their voices aren’t heard, but I want to make it clear to rural communities in Cheshire, that I see you and I hear you. 

“By bringing Cheshire’s MPs together to hear from those on the frontline of the agricultural industry about the impact this crime is having, I am galvanising their support to strengthen the national efforts the National Rural Crime Network (NRCN) is spearheading in bringing about changes to the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Bill. 

“Cheshire Constabulary has been working hard to tackle rural crime with some fantastic results. As a result of this, its Rural Crime Team has been awarded the NRCU’s Rob Oliver MBE Award for 2024, which recognises the outstanding contribution to the fight against agricultural and construction machinery theft. But I know there is always more to be done. 

“I am confident, that by carrying on this good work and starting the ball rolling to make change happen here in Cheshire, we can reduce crime, ensure our ongoing food supply and protect the livelihoods of rural communities, not only locally but across the UK.” 

Read more rural crime news.