You are not forgotten, PCC tells rural crime meeting

• More police are on the way to help tackle rural crime, a public meeting in the Cotswolds heard last night
• Police and Crime Commissioner Chris Nelson told the meeting he hoped to recruit more officers through the Home Office Safer Streets Fund
• He said, “I understand how rural communities suffer from being targeted by organised gangs, and I am exploring all avenues to provide the Chief Constable with the resources he needs
• A panel including the PCC, key police officers and staff took questions for two hours from an audience of farmers, wildlife activists, fishing groups and other local residents

More police are on the way to help address concerns around rural crime, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) said last night.

The Constabulary has already recruited an extra 164 officers, with more on the way as part of the Government’s ‘uplift’ programme.

PCC Chris Nelson told a public meeting in the Cotswolds that the

Constabulary’s rural crime team would be expanded, and he was hoping to attract even more officers when the Home Office Safer Streets Fund re-opens soon.

He said, “I understand how rural communities suffer from being targeted by organised gangs, and how difficult it can be for the police to tackle it in isolated, rural areas where resources are less concentrated.

“I am exploring all avenues, including new police stations, to be able to provide the Chief Constable with the resources he needs. We are also working closely with local communities and bodies like the National Farmers Union and Countryside Landowners Association on information gathering”.

A panel, which included the PCC, key police officers and staff took questions for two hours from a large audience of farmers, wildlife activists, fishing groups and other local residents. Issues raised included poaching, hare coursing, illegal raves and theft of farm equipment.

Mr. Nelson said, “Criminals are not constrained by borders so it is essential that we work with others to look at the wider picture, including better lines of communication with local residents who can do so much to help, prevent and detect.

“We have a beautiful county and I am determined to do all I can to keep it that way”.