An update on rural crime in Herefordshire

Significant progress being made in tackling rural crime

Six months ago almost 30 members of the farming community across Herefordshire met with my deputy Marc Bayliss to talk about rural crime and the work West Mercia Police was doing to tackle it.

Concerns were raised with regards poaching, hare coursing, vehicle and equipment theft, and livestock worrying and theft.

I raised these concerns with the Chief Constable and progress has been delivered at pace, including:

☑️ Rural crime training for call handlers with the support of the National Farmers Union 📞

☑️ Provided £50k of funding to buy two 4x4s 🚙🚙

☑️ Increased targeted activity to tackle hare coursing and poaching 💪

The positivity at the follow-up meeting this week in Ledbury, was testament to the action taken and the continued positive results in catching criminals and regaining stolen property.

But rest assured, the work does not stop here. This is only the beginning of the activity taking place across the force's three counties of Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire.