Andy Munns
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, Philip Wilkinson, has welcomed the findings of a report which links the activities of rural crime gangs to the international drug trade.
The report (Rural Crime Report 2024 – National Rural Crime Network), commissioned by the National Rural Crime Network along with other partners, called for more prominence to be given to rural crime, saying that it met the criteria to be considered as serious and organised.
The research, led by Dr Kate Tudor, a senior criminologist at Durham University, showed that twenty-two organised crime gangs are actively involved in rural crime across the UK, with only a small number mapped in formal police procedures.
It also showed that many rural criminals are involved with the sale and supply of illegal drugs, often on a large and global scale, whilst foreign organised crime gangs set up opportunities for goods which are stolen from rural locations to be transported and sold abroad.
Mr Wilkinson said: “This report shows how criminals, whose activities are deeply impacting the lives of our rural communities, are interlinked with international criminal gangs and use tactics to exploit inconsistencies in policing between different forces.
“Through the creation of Operation Ragwort in the south-west, where Rural Crime Teams in Wiltshire and all of its bordering counties share intelligence and resources, we have already identified these issues and are developing strategies to coordinate a strong response to protect our rural residents.”
It’s thought that costs associated with the theft of agricultural machinery and vehicles were £11.7 million, an increase of 29% from the previous year. As part of a ten-point plan, the report recommended that a full economic assessment of the impact rural crime has on farmers, rural businesses and the rural community.
Mr Wilkinson continued: “I believe there is a level of under-reporting within our rural communities, and as a result, this doesn’t give us a clear picture of how they are affected. We need to regain their confidence, and I’m sure the work of Operation Ragwort will begin to do that.
“We also need a forensic examination of the wider economic impact of rural crime, so we can get a better understanding of how the disruption it causes, affect the delays and costs to food production.”
The report underlined that both fear of crime and first-hand victimisation are widespread. A recent Countryside Alliance survey showed that 97% of rural respondents felt that crime was a significant problem in their community, and 43% of those surveyed reported said they had been the victim of crime in the last 12 months.
Superintendent Doug Downing is the regional tactical lead for rural crime: “Over the past year we have looked at ways we can tackle the complexities of rural crime across the Force area. We have expanded the team and re-equipped them with the latest equipment that will help make Wiltshire a hostile environment for organised crime groups to function.”
“I would encourage the people living and working in rural areas to report any suspicious activity online, by calling 101 or 999 if they see a crime taking place. We need the support of the whole community to help us disrupt these gangs and opportunist thieves by reporting as quickly as possible.”
The report also talked about how technology played a key role in successfully battling rural crime, with the use of drones, CCTV and ANPR all being used.
In Wiltshire, a significant investment has been made into improving the kit used by the Rural Crime Team.
The Police and Crime Commissioner said: “We have equipped our team with night vision capabilities as well as drone coverage.
“Until we had this kit, we were effectively blind, and we were at a huge disadvantage.
“I’ve also recently seen how the use of ANPR led to a number of arrests related to criminal gangs, so the report accurately highlights how, when use effectively, technology can give the police the upper hand in dealing with rural crime and organised crime groups.
“I fully welcome this report and hope it leads to better protection for our farms, rural businesses and rural communities.”
