Sussex Police has launched a
new rural crime team, whose overall aim is to crack down on unlawful behaviour
in isolated communities.
This team, launched
on Monday (June 1), has been made possible with the precept increase, as
acquired by Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Katy Bourne at the start of
this financial year. The new funding will allow for more enforcement and
greater local policing presence, part of which is rural crime.
The team will have
a specialist focus on agricultural, equine, wildlife and heritage issues, and
it has been brought together to serve the rural community, to increase
confidence and encourage reporting through preventing crime and carrying out
more proactive investigations.
Made up of two
sergeants, eight constables and six police community support officers (PCSOs),
the team will be operating out of bases at Midhurst and Heathfield.
The impact of rural
crime has become more apparent in recent years, and this is reflected with the
implementation of the national Rural Affairs Strategy in 2018, from the
National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC).
Sussex Police’s own
Rural Crime Strategy aims to make rural communities feel safer by building
long-lasting partnerships, responding to the community’s needs, and provide an
effective policing service. In turn, this work aims to increase confidence in
the police in our more isolated areas.
With 62% of
Sussex’s area dedicated to farming, and a significant proportion being in the
South Downs National Park, Sussex is defined as ‘significantly rural’ by DEFRA
(2011).
Recently, Sussex
Police have arrested a trio near High Hurstwood, Wealden, on suspicion of
burglary and going equipped for burglary. This is just one example of the
force’s approach to disrupting rural crime in the county.
Chief Inspector
Steve Biglands, Sussex Police’s Rural Crime lead, said:
“We are keenly
aware of the significant impact that these types of crimes have on our remote
communities, and the implementation of this new team is designed to provide a
direct link between those more isolated and the police. We want to encourage
reporting of rural crimes, because with this insight, we are able to deploy the
team to where they are most needed in order to protect the most vulnerable. We
have a substantial number of rural residents and businesses in Sussex and they
deserve our protection.”
Deputy Chief
Constable for Sussex Police Jo Shiner said:
“It is so important
to have a dedicated team for this area of policing, which quite often can go
unnoticed. We want to reassure the residents of Sussex 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.
“There have been
cases recently of animal thefts, quad bike thefts and numerous 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, we can draw on expertise and resources from all over the county:
together, we can provide the service needed to prevent rural crime.”
Police and Crime
Commissioner Katy Bourne said:
“Through my ongoing
consultations with local residents and organisations, including the National
Farmers’ Union, I know that our rural and village communities in Sussex can
sometimes feel ‘abandoned’ and ‘forgotten about’.
“Rural crime is
particularly worrying and, since the Covid lockdown, there have been many
disturbing reports of fly-tipping and expensive equipment theft. I want
to reassure our rural residents that these crimes will not be ignored and are
being taken extremely seriously.
“This expanded team
will have the specialist knowledge, skills and training that is vital to police
our rural communities, successfully investigate and prosecute crimes made
against them and keep people feeling safe where they live and work.
“I know that this
will be welcome news to many residents and organisations across Sussex”.
Message From
Sussex Police (Police, Force-wide message, Sussex)
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