Police forces from across the region descended on Dorset for a day of action tackling rural crime.
Officers from Devon & Cornwall, Avon and Somerset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire joined their counterparts from the Dorset Police Rural Crime team to provide enhanced intelligence-led patrols this week, as part of Operation Ragwort – a regional operational that aims to proactively target crime in rural communities.
The joint operation saw a total of 31 vehicles stopped – including caravans, trailers and plant machinery – which were checked against various registers and databases. The following actions were taken:
- Five vehicles subject to inspections by the Environment Agency and we’re pleased to report that no illegal waste was detected.
- One driver was arrested following a positive drugs wipe and nine further tickets were issued for separate offences including an overweight vehicle, an insecure load and no insurance.
- Three vehicles were issued with prohibition notices due to being unsafe to be driven on the road; requiring the owners to take remedial action.
- One driver issued with a traffic offence report and words of advice given to other motorists.
Inspector Adam Gill, of the Dorset Police Rural Crime Team, said: “I want to thank all those who came along to support this joint day of action in Dorset.
“By harnessing the combined knowledge and expertise of regional colleagues and partner agencies, it gives us the best possible chance of tackling rural criminality, which is often linked to organised crime and operates across county borders.
“We also recognise the blight that waste crime has on our environment and rural communities and we are committed to working with our partners to tackling this issue.”
In the east of the county, officers were joined by the Environment Agency and local authority with a focus on enforcement action around vehicles linked to waste crime, while further vehicle stops were carried out in the area of the A35 Puddletown bypass.
Meanwhile, rural police community support officers held a series of engagement events to offer education and advice to members of rural communities around crime prevention, and the drone team provided support for patrols focussed around poaching.
Rural Affairs officer, PC Clarke Orchard, said: “We know that rural crime has a huge impact on farming and rural communities across the South West.
“Joint operations, like this one, are a fantastic opportunity for us to share intelligence and best practice amongst rural crime colleagues, as well as to send a clear message to criminals operating across county borders in the South West that crime in the countryside will not be tolerated.”
According to the latest NFU Mutual Rural Crime Report, the estimated cost of rural crime in the UK was £44.1million last year.
Environment Agency enforcement officer Clive Clasby said: “Waste crime adversely affects communities, undermines legitimate waste businesses and damages the environment. The Environment Agency will vigorously pursue those who flout the law.
“If you’re paying someone to take waste away, which could be a tradesperson or a man with a van, make sure they are a registered waste carrier.
“We have a public register on the Environment Agency website so anyone can do a quick search and check if the individual or company is legitimate.
“If you suspect that waste crime is taking place in your community, contact our 24/7 Environment Agency hotline on 0800 80 70 60, or report it anonymously to Crimestoppers.”
People living in rural areas are encouraged to report crime and suspicious behaviour to police by speaking with local officers, using the online reporting form on the force website or by calling 101.
For the latest news and crime prevention advice, follow the Rural Affairs team on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DCPoliceRural
