Rural Crime Week: Partnership in Action Across Dorset

Rural Crime Week: Partnership in Action Across Dorset

Last week was National Rural Crime Week of Action run by the National Rural Crime Network. The week was a great opportunity for Dorset Police and its partners to demonstrate the proactive work taking place across the county to prevent crime, disrupt offenders and protect our rural communities.

Dorset is fortunate to have some of the most beautiful countryside in the UK. But for those who live and work in our rural communities, it’s is much more than a place to visit – it is their home, their workplace and, for many, their livelihood.

Rural crime can take many forms. From the theft of agricultural machinery and equipment to livestock worrying, hare coursing, fly-tipping, criminal damage and anti-social behaviour, its impact can be significant. It can cause financial loss, disrupt livelihoods and leave people feeling vulnerable in places where they should feel safest.

Combatting rural crime is one of my top priorities as police and crime commissioner which is why I am pleased to see Dorset Police have been busy during the week of action. Officers from Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team recovered several thousand pounds’ worth of stolen plant machinery parts in East Dorset. The parts belonged to a company carrying out essential work within our rural communities. Officers also shared intelligence with the Wincanton Neighbourhood Policing Team, which led to the swift recovery of a stolen motorbike.

Dorset Police also took part in Operation Ragwort, a multi-force, cross-border operation alongside Avon and Somerset Police, Wiltshire Police, Hampshire Police and Thames Valley Police. The operation focused on targeting offenders involved in rural crime, patrolling hotspot locations and engaging with rural communities. This type of cross-border working is vital. Criminals do not see county boundaries, and by working together, police forces are better placed to protect our communities and make it harder for those who seek to offend.

But, like any type of crime, tackling rural crime is not about enforcement alone. During the week, officers from the Rural Crime Team also carried out Yard and Tack Security visits, inspecting equestrian yards and identifying potential security weaknesses that could be exploited by thieves. Taking a few simple steps to improve security can help prevent theft and increase the chances of property being recovered if it is stolen.

Tackling rural crime cannot be left to the police alone. It takes partners, organisations and rural communities working together to prevent crime, share information and make sure concerns are heard. During Rural Crime Week of Action, partners have been helping to share practical crime prevention advice, including a video from a Dorset Police Rural Crime Team officer offering tips to help farmers and rural businesses protect their properties. This kind of partnership working is vital in making sure rural communities have access to the information, advice and support they need. It also demonstrates that tackling rural crime is a shared responsibility, with everyone having a role to play.

While Rural Crime Week of Action provides an important opportunity to shine a light on this work, tackling rural crime is not something that happens for one week of the year. Through the Dorset Partnership Against Rural Crime (PARC), Dorset Police, my office and partners work together throughout the year to identify emerging issues, share intelligence and support rural communities. This partnership approach recognises that no single organisation can tackle rural crime alone.

Importantly, this work is not just about organisations working together – it is about working alongside the people who live and work in our rural communities and making sure their experiences and concerns help shape the response. One farmer involved in Dorset PARC recently highlighted the value of this relationship with Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team during the week of action. He said “We are very fortunate to have a very pro-active Rural Crime Team in Dorset. The farming community work closely with the Rural Crime Team to get a good understanding on criminal activity, together we can act quickly using the systems we have in place to identify and report criminal activity in our rural areas.”

This kind of feedback is a reminder of why strong relationships between rural communities, the police and partners are so important. Those living and working in our countryside are often best placed to understand what is happening locally, and the intelligence they share can play a vital role in helping police prevent crime, identify offenders and protect others from becoming victims.

I want to thank Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team, our partner organisations and, most importantly, our rural communities for the role they play in keeping Dorset safe – not only during this week of action, but throughout the year.

Rural crime matters. Rural communities matter. And as policing changes, they must continue to have a strong voice in its future.

David Sidwick

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner