New team launched to further improve rural crime response in Nottinghamshire
A new policing team is being launched to crack down on crime and better support people living and working in rural communities.
The Neighbourhood Rural Crime Team will work with officers across the county to tackle recurring and emerging issues, improve outcomes for victims and help prevent crime.
The team, based at Ollerton Police Station, is an extension of the existing neighbourhood policing offer and will bring together four officers with a dedicated focus on rural crime.
The four officers will receive enhanced training to investigate crimes including the theft of farm machinery; wildlife offences such as poaching; criminal damage caused by off-road vehicles and fuel theft.
With shift patterns covering day and night, the team will focus on engagement, intelligence gathering, the investigation of offences, arrests, seizures and proactive operations based on emerging crime trends.
Nottinghamshire Police has been working for several years to improve its response in rural areas and now has one of the most extensive rural neighbourhood policing networks in the country.
As well as investing heavily in new vehicles and equipment such as 4x4s, quad bikes and night-vision goggles, the force has given additional training to officers already working in rural areas.
In addition to those more than 40 officers with enhanced training, the Neighbourhood Rural Crime Team will provide an additional dedicated focus on issues that are unique or particularly damaging to rural communities, including the theft of high-value farm machinery and equipment such as tractor GPS systems; livestock theft; fuel and metal theft; hare coursing and poaching; other wildlife crime; fly-tipping and the nuisance use of off-road vehicles.
Team member PC Hollie Marsh said: "I am extremely passionate about joining this team and making a difference.
"We know that people living and working in isolated areas can feel particularly vulnerable and unsafe. I want to show heightened patrols, more police presence and immediate action when responding to incidents.
"I am hoping this new team can be pioneering in safeguarding and stopping those who are using animals to commit crime such as hunting and poaching.
"It is a pleasure to be a part of this team and to be tackling the issues which mean the most to the agricultural communities and villages."