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🌾 Rural Operational Support Team (ROST) – Quarterly Update Good Afternoon Resident, Here’s your first three‑month roundup of key incidents and activity from the Hertfordshire Rural Crime Team. We’ll be sharing more regular updates throughout the year to keep our rural communities informed and supported.
🚔 Key Incidents & Activity✔️ Fly‑tipping arrest
A 50‑year‑old male was arrested in East Herts for fly‑tipping offences. His vehicle was seized as part of the investigation. ✔️ Off‑road motorbikes on protected land
Officers responded to reports of illegal off‑road motorbike use on a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in East Herts. ✔️ Poaching incident – vehicle and equipment seized
Live-time support was provided to officers who stopped suspected poachers in Hay Street. A thermal scope, ball bearings and an uninsured vehicle were seized. The investigation continues. ✔️ Livestock worrying – community resolution issued
A dog owner was issued with a Community Resolution, requiring them to attend a ‘Responsible Dog Owners’ course. ✔️ Multi‑agency investigations
We continue to work closely with partners including the RSPCA and Environment Agency on a number of ongoing enquiries. ✔️ Drone deployment
ROST provided drone support following a fatal aircraft crash in North Herts. ✔️ Missing persons
– Assisted officers with 4x4 capability to reach an unwell missing person located in a field.
– Helped search for a missing 10‑year‑old in Stevenage, who was later found safe and well. ✔️ Wildlife crime
– Responded to a deer‑poaching report in East Herts, confirmed to be lawful culling.
– Attended multiple reports of hare coursing, poaching and lamping across the county. ✔️ Operational support
– Assisted Roads Policing and Neighbourhood Officers in detaining two males found in an abandoned building in Stevenage.
– Conducted interviews for offences including intentional badger sett interference, perverting the course of justice and animal welfare offences. ✔️ Stolen property recovered
A stolen motorbike was located in Letchworth and returned to its owner. ✔️ Hunting Act searches
Four males and a vehicle were searched near Buntingford following reports of hare coursing. ✔️ Operation Thunder – wildlife trade checks
County-wide visits conducted to antique dealers as part of this global Interpol-led operation. Several items were seized for further investigation. ✔️ Arrests
Multiple arrests were made, including individuals wanted on warrant with one linked to a joint ROST–RSPCA investigation. Another person was arrested in connection with high‑value criminal damage in Letchworth Town Centre that caused several stores to close early. ✔️ Animal welfare
ROST rehomed a dog after its owner sadly passed away. ✔️ Road traffic enforcement
Numerous Traffic Offence Reports (TORs) issued for no insurance, red‑light offences, no-entry contraventions and lighting defects. A rural speeding operation also resulted in several TORs for exceeding 30mph and 40mph limits in North and East Herts. (Image Below) ✔️ Other enforcement
Officers attended a warrant with East Herts Council relating to multiple planning‑permission breaches.
🔍 Weekend Highlight – Two Significant Results1. Wanted male arrested in Essex
A male linked to a ROST investigation—who had been evading a West Mercia Police arrest warrant for nearly three years—was arrested after agreeing to meet our officers at Chelmsford Police Station. He spent the night in custody and was presented to the courts on Monday. (Image below.) 2. Op Lakeshot intervention
Officers responded rapidly to reports of a vehicle in Breachwood Green and Offley with occupants aiming catapults from the windows. This vehicle is an Op Lakeshot target, a multi‑agency initiative tackling offences involving waterfowl, game and wild birds being killed or injured by catapult. The vehicle was located, the occupants were detained and searched under the Poaching Prevention Act, with two catapults and projectiles being seized. (Image below). 
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