Wiltshire Police insist they will clamp down on Rural Crime
It's part of their rural crime awareness week
People living in the Wiltshire countryside are being reassured by police that they’re committed to tackling rural crime.
Assistant Chief Constable Mark Cooper told us that offences in rural areas have risen since the pandemic, in particular of high value electronics, vehicles and equipment.
Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkison says the force needs to improve it’s capacity to tackle organised crime gangs (OGCs) involved in acquisitive rural crime – both in Wiltshire and in surrounding areas.
Rural crime doesn’t have a solid definition, but ACC Cooper described rural crime as “all crime in rural, hard to reach communities”.
ACC Cooper says rural crimes are often under-reported which might have to do with a perception that the force can do little to recover property or catch those responsible.
But he says this is not the case.
“When you report a crime, you will not just be given a crime number and that's it. You will have a primary investigation.
“So, we will look at all the investigative opportunities and do everything that we possibly can to recover your property. And secondly and most importantly, cache those that are responsible.”
Those living in the countryside are being encouraged to ensure their security systems are as upgraded as possible. But the wider public can also do their bit.
“Give us the information intelligence about unusual activity, even if it's nothing. We would rather check it out and be sure than miss the opportunity.”
And in their insistence on clamping down on such crime, ACC Cooper has promised increased visibility in rural areas.
“We're going to do whatever we possibly can to deter those that are responsible for committing the crime and to target those that are responsible, make the arrests, recover the property and make Wiltshire a very difficult place for people to commit crime.”
Officers will be carrying out targeted patrols, as well as targeting individuals that commit these types of crime.
ACC Cooper says the force will be ‘relentless’ in their pursuit of those involved with OGCs.