Rural crime roadshows hailed for helping to prevent poaching

Gamekeepers from across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland descended on Loddington (7 March) and Potters Marston (21 March) for a unique roadshow showcasing the latest in rural crime prevention technology.

These two events, hosted by the National Gamekeepers Organisation (NGO) in partnership with Leicestershire Police’s Rural Policing Team, were funded by Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews as part of his mission to create safer and prosperous communities.

The PCC provided NGO with a grant worth just over £9,873 from the first round of his flagship Community Action Fund (CAF) – exclusively focused on rural crime prevention - to launch the roadshows, which were free of charge to all Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland NGO members.

The funding included provision for trackers, property marking services and 25 solar-powered Guard My Farm CCTV cameras which were distributed free of charge at the events for those who had pre-registered interest.

It also incorporated the cost of purchasing five poacher blocks which have already been installed in key locations across the force area to prevent illegal entry to fields. The blocks will be moved between sites with long-standing poaching issues according to need.

The latest roadshow, held at Potters Marston and attended by the PCC and Deputy PCC Neetu Squire, covered all aspects of rural crime prevention and included demonstrations on advanced anti-theft applications such as Data Tag property marking technology with representatives from across the security sector offering information and advice.

It also featured a small tool engraving workshop where attendees could bring small hand tools, electric tools and larger machinery such as strimmers and chainsaws to be postcode-engraved free of charge.

NGO members were also able to purchase solar security cameras at discounted rates and talk to members of the Rural Policing Team for advice and support on rural crime prevention.

When surveyed, 78% of Leicestershire NGO members said they had been affected by poachers chasing rabbits/hares while 45% said they had been affected by deer poaching.

Almost one in four said they had been affected by illegal off-roading.

Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews said: “Both of these roadshows have been a huge success and demonstrate the determination and passion that abounds in our rural communities to keep criminals out of our countryside.

“Engagement by itself is a powerful crime prevention tool and is especially important in our rural communities where residents and landowners often feel isolated. Alongside introducing people to effective crime prevention tools, these events also helped gamekeepers to connect to one another and to rural crime officers and while also increasing understanding of the unique issues experienced by gamekeepers.

“The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with attendees welcoming the opportunity to meet those on the frontline of fighting rural crime. These relationships are crucial to building an intelligence picture and ensuring our landowners feel heard, supported and understood, and reiterate the importance of developing shared solutions.”

Rural crime remains a significant concern across the force area with offences such as machinery and plant theft, livestock worrying and fly-tipping impacting farms, rural businesses and quality of life, and costing the economy millions of pounds every year.

The Rural CAF supported a variety of crime prevention tools and initiatives from equipment for rural crime prevention workshops through to educational material for schools to reduce involvement in rural crime among young people. It also funded practical solutions including community equipment such as security lighting and motion sensors and vehicle tracking and GOS systems.

CAF rounds are held throughout the year under different themes and bring together a series of connected initiatives which are designed to equip small and grassroots organisations with the skills, knowledge and support they need to help residents thrive and to ‘prevent rather than cure’ crime and disorder – a strategy conceived nearly 200 years ago by the father of modern policing, Sir Robert Peel.

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