COUNTRYSIDE criminals are being targeted by Warwickshire Police after it launched its first Rural Crime Team.
The team, based at Greys Mallory near Warwick, includes four officers and a rural crime officer. Each officer will have responsibility for a specific part of the county.
The county’s many rural areas have provided rich pickings for criminals in the past few years – including a spate of thefts and butchery of sheep from fields in recent months.
Insp Allison Wiggin said: “Our Rural Crime Strategy focuses on the significant issues affecting farmers, businesses and rural communities such as the theft and illegal butchery of sheep, theft of machinery, and fly tipping. It’s a really wide remit but has specific strands we are concentrating on.
“The team will work closely with the other teams within Warwickshire Police to support them in tackling some of these issues.”
Ch Cons Martin Jelley said: “There has already been some fantastic work by our officers and staff to address rural crime and I am delighted that the new dedicated team will bring more resources to continue the momentum.”
Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe said: “I hope it reinforces the message that crime will not be tolerated in any part of Warwickshire, including our rural communities. I am sure the additional focus the new team will be able to give will be welcomed across the county.”
The team has already started to build links with the rural community, developing relationships and identifying crime trends.
The launch coincided with the national Wildlife and Rural Crime Week of Action.
Email [email protected] or call 01926 415478 to report rural crime concerns.
