Course dedicated to fighting rural crime launched by Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner

Police officers, special constables and community support officers have been gaining an insight into rural crime and how best to tackle it on special courses, funded by the PCC Philip Seccombe.

So far two training days have been held, including one at Moreton Morrell College, with officers from Safer Neighbourhood Teams from across the county attending for a day of practical learning, organised by the PCC-funded Rural Crime Co-ordinators Carol Cotterill, Lucy Lambert and Robert Church.

Officers will be giving demonstrations on crime prevention which can be passed onto the public and a live forensics learning exercise around the farm is being held, giving officers tips on what to look for, and how and when to bring in scenes of crimes officers.

There was also input from the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service and NFU Mutual, giving practical information on how to spot stolen plant and agricultural machinery, an overview of the construction and agricultural equipment security and registration scheme, and a hands on session examining tractors, quad bikes, trailers and other equipment that is often targeted by criminals.

The course also included training on dementia awareness, with officers becoming Dementia Friends as a result.

Mr Seccombe said: “The impact on rural businesses and farms from the theft of livestock and agricultural or plant machinery can be extremely significant, so it is important that officers are trained in what to look out for and where they can go for further advice and support.

“By equipping our Safer Neighbourhood Teams with the right hands-on experience and knowledge we will continue to get out the message that Warwickshire is not a ‘soft target’ for rural crime.

“We know that significant proportions of the crime in rural areas is carried out by organised crime groups, and it is important that the police work across force borders to identify and arrest criminals."