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I wanted to provide you with an update regarding Farming Equipment thefts, which people around your area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the priority survey. Thank you for contacting us regarding recent concerns about an increase in farm and tool thefts in the area. We understand the impact this type of crime can have on individuals, businesses, and the wider rural community, and we want to reassure you that these reports are being taken seriously.
The Safer Neighbourhood Team is actively reviewing intelligence and reports relating to these incidents. In response, we will be carrying out targeted patrols and enforcement activity to disrupt and deter offending. This work will be supported by colleagues from Staffordshire Police, as part of a cross-border operation, recognising that offenders often operate across force boundaries. By working together, we aim to identify those responsible and reduce further incidents.
In the meantime, we would encourage residents to consider the following crime prevention advice:
Ensure tools, machinery, and vehicles are securely locked away when not in use
Use strong, good-quality locks and consider property marking or forensic marking systems
Keep keys secure and out of sight
Install security lighting, alarms, or CCTV where possible
Record serial numbers and take photographs of valuable equipment
Report any suspicious activity, vehicles, or individuals in rural or isolated areas
If you witness suspicious behaviour or believe a crime is in progress, please contact the police immediately. Non-emergency information or intelligence can be reported via 101 or online, and all reports help us build a clearer picture of offending patterns and target our activity effectively.
We would like to thank the community for their continued vigilance and for reporting concerns. Your information plays a vital role in helping us protect rural areas and prevent further offences.
 Rural crime has no set definition but can be very broadly classified as any crime and anti-social behaviour occurring in rural areas. It is often linked to Organised Crime Groups (OCGs) who target and exploit rural communities across a range of crime types, for example organised plant theft, livestock theft, burglaries targeting firearms, poaching and hare coursing. The NPCC (National Police Chiefs Council) has developed a Rural Affairs Strategy which sets out police priorities in this area: - Farm machinery, plant and vehicle theft - including quad bikes, modern and vintage tractors, tools and equipment from outbuildings.
- Livestock offences - including theft, worrying and attacks.
- Fuel theft - including heating oil, diesel and petrol.
- Equine crime - including horse trailer and horse box theft, horse theft, tack theft, fly grazing and neglect.
- Fly tipping - including household and commercial waste, waste through organised criminality.
- Poaching which crosses over with the wildlife priorities - including hare coursing, deer poaching, fish poaching.
- Heritage crime - It is also important to recognise that rural crime and antisocial behaviour have an adverse impact on the historic environment and heritage assets found across the United Kingdom - including the theft of metal from church buildings, unlawful metal detecting and interference with historic shipwrecks.
More information on these issues and prevention advice can be found at Rural crime | Neighbourhood Watch Network If you ever experience this issue or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at https://www.westmercia.police.uk, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively, you can stay 100 per cent anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org Get Involved Please consider getting involved by registering for these messages, this will enable you to contribute to the local priority survey. We may be unaware of issues that you would like us to focus on. Take a few minutes to securely and privately register and have your say using the button below, this will mean we can focus on things that matter to you. 
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