Rural crime in focus as PCC attends rural priority working groups

Hertfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner met with those who live and work in rural communities across the county to discuss how they are affected by crime.

Jonathan Ash-Edwards travelled to the National Farming Union (NFU) offices at Boxted Farm, Hemel Hempstead and Hyde Hall Farm in Buntingford.

There he met two working groups which give rural communities a more direct and effective route to voice their concerns to the police.

They were established earlier this year as joint initiative between the Constabulary’s Rural Operational Support Team (ROST) and the NFU.

Key challenges affecting rural communities are discussed along with agreed actions to tackle them. Current priorities are around fly tipping, hare coursing and plant machinery theft.

Jonathan Ash-Edwards, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire, said:

“It is essential that Hertfordshire’s rural communities are safe and that criminality impacting farmers and those in the rural economy is disrupted. There are often unique concerns in the countryside which require targeted police operations and tactics to counter.

“A range of local issues were discussed at the meetings and it was useful to hear updates from local officers and the Constabulary’s rural support team about the action being taken.

“The theft of plant and machinery has reduced this season, which is a welcome development. But those I spoke to have raised concerns about damage to land from motorbikes trespassing.

“New legislation is now being used against hare coursers, which covers going equipped to hare course, and intelligence is being shared with neighbouring forces.

“Another common concern is the increased timescales for firearms licences and the impact this has on those who need a firearm for legitimate work purposes. The Constabulary is dealing with the impact of national policy changes following the shootings in Plymouth a few years ago. Although additional resources are being put in place, there is more to do to improve service to the public. This was one of the first issues I raised with the Chief Constable at my new Accountability & Performance Meetings after taking office.”

During the visits last week Mr Ash-Edwards also heard how officers are stopping vehicles carrying waste after the official tips are shut to check waste licenses.

The Commissioner’s office runs a scheme which covers the cost of clearing up dumped rubbish. Since 2020 £50,000 has been awarded to clean up 38 tips and fund target hardening preventative.

Full details can be found at https://www.hertscommissioner.org/listening-and-responding/funding/fly-tipping-fund/