South West approach to tackling rural crime a national template
Head of the National Rural Crime Unit says Op Ragwort should be rolled out nationally
Wiltshire and it's neighbouring South West counties have been praised by the Head of the National Rural Crime Unit for their approach to tackling the issue.
Superintendent Andy Huddleston told Greatest Hits Radio that the region's Operation Ragwort is a template other rural regions should be looking to learn from.
Ragwort was launched in 2023 as a joint operation between each of the South West forces.
It aims to disrupt Organised Crime Gangs (OCGs) in the region who are at the forefront of crimes such as burglary, the theft of farm vehicles and equipment, poaching and hare coursing.
Speaking at the first ever Rural Crime Forum in Wiltshire Supt Huddleston said: "Wiltshire are very much at the lead of working regionally to tackle organised crime groups that are targeting rural areas."
He added that crime groups target rural areas because they're easier to steal from, making it 'low risk, high reward' for criminals for the types of machinery and property they're after.
"Working regionally is very, very important and through ragwort that Wiltshire are pushing and promoting, that is a fantastic thing.
"From a national perspective, I wish every other region would do something similar," Supt Huddleston said.
Equipment makers are aiding criminals
Superintendent Huddleston revealed in his speech at the forum that some manufacturers of farming equipment and machinery were aware of the role they play in HELPING criminals.
He said that these major companies are refusing to modernise the security that comes with their machinery - with some manufacturers even having models that allow one key to be used to start them.
"I think it's absolutely wrong that we should need legislation to get manufacturers from quad bikes to tractors to actually fit a key that isn't one that fits every single machine across their range. It's just wrong that that is the case these days," Supt Huddleston said.
However, thanks to the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Bill that is currently being processed through parliament, immobilisers will be required on vehicles such as Quad bikes and ATV's (All-Terrain Vehicles) in the UK.
Supt Huddleston stressed that anyone who owns vehicles without an immobiliser or has a equipment where a single key can be used for multiple vehicles, should always take that key out - something a number of farmers have admitted to not doing.