New police strategy sees four rural crime teams take to the countryside

The team will develop specialist rural skills and knowledge for police officers, staff and special constables who will maintain a visible presence and provide an effective response to crimes and incidents in rural and farming communities.

NFU Cymru Carmarthenshire County chairman Garry Williams, who has been campaigning for the move, said he was ‘extremely grateful’ to the Police for making the strategy a reality.

Reporting

Dyfed-Powys figures for rural crime said more than 500 crimes had been committed on farms in 2016/17. They included theft of livestock, quad bikes, trailers, machinery, gates, tools and scrap metal, as well as criminal damage to crops, land, buildings, fences and machinery.

Mr Williams said: “Stamping out rural crime is a two-way relationship.

“It is not just about one party doing something about it but instead farmers and the police working together to help deter thieves and finding a way to reduce the crime rates in rural communities.

“It is vitally important that every rural crime incident is reported to the police. No matter how small it may seem, it counts, and I urge you all to report anything suspicious or any theft that has taken place in order to ensure that we know exactly what we are dealing with when it comes to rural crime.”