TRF:
What are the Rural Crime Teams priorities?
Sgt James Shirley:
The aim is to provide a dedicated response to combat and prevent criminality affecting the rural and farming communities of Derbyshire. To increase engagement, confidence and reassurance within these communities.
We have 6 national Rural crime priority areas - Farm Machinery Theft (ATV, Tractor and plant theft), Livestock offences (worrying and theft) Fuel theft, Equine crime, Industrial scale Fly tipping and poaching.
TRF:
And what about wildlife?
Sgt James Shirley:
We also deal with wildlife crime, this is again set by the National Police Chiefs Council and we have several areas to concentrate our attention on. The main ones being badger persecution (the illegal digging and killing of badgers) and raptor persecution (the illegal killing of birds of prey). We are also responsible for policing illegal hunting following the introduction of the Hunting Act in 2004.
TRF:
So what does rural and wildlife crime look like?
Sgt James Shirley:
The best thing you can do to get a flavour of what to look out for is scroll through our Facebook page
@Derbysire Rural Crime Team. Headless pheasants, stolen generators, quads and motor bikes, deer and hare coursing with long dogs, shot birds of prey, stolen peregrine falcon eggs and mauled livestock and of course illegal and irresponsible of roading.
TRF:
So what can our trail riders do to help?
Sgt James Shirley:
Rural communities are isolated and remote, which gives criminals the edge when they want to commit crime. We are asking all visitors of the Peaks to help us in tackling crime by keeping an eye out for suspicious activity. Be vigilant to what’s going on around them whilst out on the lanes. The offences above take place daily in the countryside across the country, but if you don't look for it, it is rarely seen.
2 Comments
This is a really worthwhile initiative. Those of us who live in rural areas know that the Police have an almost impossible job trying to do it without the help of the public.
As we (trail riders) are such a valuable potential asset in this area, it would be nice to think that there was a little Quid Quo Pro, such as not getting routinely pulled over and nicked for a small number plate, but….?
^^^ Whoops, I got a little tongue tied Quid Pro Quo