OFFICERS from the Rural Affairs Team at Devon and Cornwall Police were out in force across the county last week, working with partner agencies on a week of intensification to drive down rural crime.

The week of intensification, which started on Wednesday, September 17, saw officers from the Rural Affairs team work in collaboration with local neighbourhood teams and partner agencies, to carry out high-visibility patrols and raise awareness about rural crime.

The Rural Affairs Team spent the week patrolling areas prone to illegal fishing as part of Operation Leviathan; engaging with farmers at Exeter Livestock Market, providing bespoke animal welfare and crime prevention advice; assisting Mid Devon District Council in relation to a large-scale fly-tipping incident; and taking part in multi-agency training alongside colleagues from Natural England, to share knowledge and best practice as part of an ongoing commitment to strengthen methods of collaborative working.

Sgt Mike Blackwell-Brown of the Rural Affairs Team said: “Rural crime is something we tackle consistently throughout the year, and I am incredibly proud of the work the team have done - and will continue to do - to support our rural communities.

“We know that crimes can have a devastating impact on victims, particularly in rural areas where the thefts are often of machinery or vehicles that impact people’s livelihoods.

“Our Rural Affairs Team and colleagues in the wider policing family are committed to keeping our rural communities safe and we will continue to work closely with our partners to support people living in, working in and visiting rural areas of Devon and Cornwall.”

Following a number of recent collisions involving livestock, teams also carried out a targeted speeding operation on moorland roads between Tavistock, Princetown and Yelverton.

PC Julian Fry and the team used this opportunity to patrol busy car parks, engaging with members of the public to raise awareness about dog attacks on livestock and to install additional signage to reinforce the importance of keeping dogs on leads or under close control.

PC Julian Fry of the Rural Affairs Team commented: “Allowing dogs to chase or attack livestock is a criminal offence. Attacks on livestock are a year-round issue and can have devastating consequences for the animals and farmers involved.

“If you’re walking your dog in the countryside, please take notice of signage; respect any wildlife or livestock around you and keep your dog on a lead or under close control at all times.”

PC Jenny Mashford, Neighbourhood Beat Manager for Tavistock added: “Following deployment of the speed monitoring equipment on the B3212, the B3357 and Down Road on the outskirts of Tavistock, we were pleased to see that the majority of drivers were keeping to the speed limits and driving safely on our roads.”

Sgt Mike Blackwell-Brown concluded: “I hope the week of intensification is reassuring our communities that we are listening to them, and that action is being taken to prevent rural crime across Devon and Cornwall.

“As always, we need the support of our rural communities and encourage people living and working in rural areas to be vigilant and report any crimes or intelligence to us."

If you have any information about crime or antisocial behaviour affecting your community, you can report it using the Intelligence Portal on the Devon and Cornwall Police website: www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/ .

Alternatively, suspected crimes or suspicious activity can be reported anonymously to CrimeStoppers by calling 0800 555 111 or visiting the website: www.crimestoppers-uk.org/ .

To keep up-to-date with rural crime information in your area, sign up to the free Devon and Cornwall Alert system: www.alerts.dc.police.uk/ or follow the Rural Affairs team on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DCPoliceRural .