The strategies were launched by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) on Wednesday (July 25) following the Rural Affairs Summit and look to continue to improve how wildlife crime is policed and how best to use resources to prevent crime and protect our rural communities.
Chief Inspector Neil Armsworth, Northumbria Police’s lead on wildlife crime, expressed the importance in educating officers about wildlife crime and policing rural issues.
He said: “The launch of the new strategies reaffirms the police’s commitment to tackle this type of crime. Here in Northumbria we have a large rural area and it is crucial that our officers are correctly prepared to deal with crimes and issues that affect those communities.
“I encourage our rural communities to continue to speak to officers and report crimes and anything suspicious. Together we can keep our communities safe.”
Northumbria Police already takes part in a number of proactive initiatives to tackle wildlife and rural crime. This includes training officers in how to best deal with these types of offences and support victims, taking part in FarmWatch schemes and community groups, and promoting livestock and machinery tagging and crime prevention methods.
Dame Vera Baird QC, Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “It’s important that we continue to police our rural communities effectively and ensure the style of policing fits. We will continue to work with local residents to ensure they continue to receive the very best service from Northumbria.
“I fully support the Wildlife and Rural Crime Policing Strategies – they will further enhance the way we work and strengthen our relationships with partner organisations. We will continue to take action and show that in Northumbria we tackle rural and wildlife crime head on”
To read the full Wildlife Crime Policing Strategy please click the below link:
To read the full Rural Affairs Strategy please click the below link:
http://www.npcc.police.uk/documents/crime/2018/NPCC%20Rural%20affairs%20Strategy%202018%202021.pdf