Lincolnshire rural crime action team launched
It'll tackle things like hare coursing, lead theft and fly-tipping.
A new rural crime action team's been created by Lincolnshire Police to tackle things like hare coursing, lead theft and fly-tipping.
It'll have 8 constables and a sergeant and comes as the force looks to bolster it's ranks with a recruitment uplift.
Chief Inspector Phil Vickers, rural crime lead, said they'll also offer crime prevention advice.
“This commitment means that we can focus on prevention, investigation and enforcement of offences that have a unique impact on rural communities, that we can develop our national lead on tackling Hare Coursing and work together to protect our Heritage, Wildlife and Environment.
“The team is made up of Officers passionate about protecting Lincolnshire Communities, targeting the criminals who come here to offend and making Lincolnshire the safest place to live, work and visit.”
Rural crime officer PC Martin Green said the main focus is to deter criminals and support rural crime communities.
“Our aim is to stop criminals in their tracks by patrolling areas and attending incidents as soon as they are reported.
"We continue to ask anyone affected by crime to call us on 101, or call 999 to report a crime in action.”
Chief Constable Chris Haward said it's important to have a dedicated team for an area of policing, which quite often can go unnoticed.
"We want to reassure the residents of Lincolnshire that we are here to disrupt rural crime, to catch those who think they can get away with it and to ensure our more isolated communities feel safe in their own homes.
“We have had cases of lead theft, along with other countryside offences. We understand how destructive these are to people’s livelihoods, and how damaging they can be emotionally to the victim.
"We want perpetrators of these crimes to know we are here to catch them: do not consider committing the crime because we will bring you to justice.
“Working closely with partners including the National Farmers’ Union, we can draw on expertise and resources from all over the county; together, we can provide the service needed to prevent rural crime.”
NFU Lincolnshire county advisers Rhonda Thompson and Johanna Musson said it's a massive step towards Lincolnshire cracking down on rural crime.
“The threat of crime is huge in the countryside. Farmers and growers bear the brunt of it and many often face a daily battle against a determined group of offenders.
“Having an Rural Crime Action Team sends a stark message to criminals and organised crime gangs aiming to target our rural areas - there is now a police unit entirely dedicated to preventing them causing crime and catching them if they commit it.
“We’re proud to have worked alongside the CLA, the police and the police and crime commissioner in the establishment of this new team.
“Now the hard work begins on making Lincolnshire a no-go zone for criminals.”