Farmers praise rural crime success

Progress made by Kent Police and partner agencies to cut crime in rural areas has been praised by a leading farming organisation.

The National Farmers’ Union made its comments at a seminar hosted by Kent Police for agencies and organisations with a keen interest in countryside issues.

The NFU’s Kent chairman Anthony Curwen said: “There is fantastic work going on. We can see real joined-up thinking and it is very successful. I have been asked personally by the NFU to pass on our thanks and to say that what you are doing is incredibly encouraging.”

Among initiatives highlighted at the seminar was Operation Orchard that has been running in the Weald, the largest rural area policed by the Kent force. The campaign is to stop illegal hare coursing and reduce the type of crime associated with the activity. Officers working on the operation also provide visible support and reassurance to rural communities.

As well as reducing the number of reports of hare coursing from 40 in 2002 to just five this year, the campaign is also credited with reducing burglary in outbuildings, sheds and rural business premises from 88 reports in 2002 to 55 this year.

Chief Constable Mike Fuller said: “I was aware when I came to Kent that there was concern over the visibility of the police in rural communities and I am addressing this. I am committed to tackling problems in rural communities and working with other agencies we will try our hardest to find solutions to the issues raised.”

Delegates at the seminar included representatives from the Kent Wildlife Trust, the Environment Agency, the Country Landowner’s Association (CLA), Kent County Council, the Association of Parish Councils, English Nature and the RSPCA.

Mr Fuller explained his recently launched initiative to develop neighbourhood policing in the county. The rural representatives also heard about the work underway to combat anti-social behaviour and the partnership approach to environmental crime such as fly-tipping.

Developments taking place in Kent Community Safety Partnership and in the Country Eye scheme * were also presented.

LA Regional Director Rupert Ashby said: “Tackling crime in rural areas is a big job but we are confident that the process of making the countryside a better area is well underway in Kent.”