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Arrests, warrants, vehicle seizures and farm visits were just some of the activities carried out by Northamptonshire Police during a day of action tackling rural crime.

Co-ordinated by the National Police Chiefs' Council, the event took place yesterday, Thursday, November 8 2018, with officers in Northamptonshire carrying out operations targeting everything from hare coursing and organised crime to fly tipping and the theft of machinery.

Partnership work was undertaken with local councils, organisations representing rural residents, landowners and businesses, Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, and neighbouring police forces.

Inspector Kevin Byrne, Neighbourhood Policing Team Inspector for Daventry and South Northants, said: “As a largely rural county, we appreciate how much rural crime affects Northamptonshire. The day of action was a huge team effort from all those involved across the force and our partners, and I’m really pleased with the results.

“Alongside our proactive policing, we worked with partners to carry out visits to farms and businesses around the county providing reassurance and advice, listening to their concerns and really showing them that we’re out there, we’re interested in rural crime and we take it seriously.”

PC John Hutchings took part in a cross-county series of driver and vehicle checks with partners including Leicestershire Police and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

He said: “We have been stopping vehicles in Thrapston, Oundle, Rushden, and Moulton, carrying out checks resulting in three arrests. There drivers reported for 35 offences, 10 seized vehicles and the gathering of a lot of intelligence in the fight against rural crime.

“Our DVSA colleagues also issued 32 immediate prohibitions, taking unsafe vehicles off the roads. Working together we’ve realised our goal of targeting those who use the roads to commit rural crime, and made sure those using rural roads are doing so legally and safely.”

Inspector Byrne added his thanks for the patience of drivers affected by the police operations.

As well as providing crime prevention advice during visits to rural residents and businesses, police also handed out ‘pull me over at night’ stickers to help protect trailers, equipment and machinery against theft.

Anti fly-tipping operations were led by Daventry District Council and South Northamptonshire Council, including patrols of fly-tipping hotspots.

Gary Crook, lead community safety officer for South Northamptonshire Council, said rural crime affected residents on a regular basis, and combatting it formed part of the area’s community safety action plan as a result.

He added: “Our community safety officer carried out fly-tipping patrols in known vulnerable areas to offer support and advice to residents and the farming community, reporting back any suspicious activity to police control. Our environmental enforcement officers also targeted hot-spots for fly tipping throughout the day.”

Another partner in the day’s activity was the CLA, which represents owners of land, property and businesses in rural England and Wales.

CLA East regional director Ben Underwood said: “Those living in rural, and often isolated locations, can feel particularly vulnerable to being a victim of crime. This national day of action will hopefully raise awareness of the seriousness of the issue and the impact it has on those who live and work in the countryside.”

During the day, one female was safeguarded following a misuse of drugs warrant in Rothwell, reassurance visits were made to county farms and plans discussed for a heritage crime seminar.

Councillor Alan Hills, Community, Culture and Leisure Portfolio Holder who represents Daventry District Council for the Community Safety Partnership said:

“Daventry is a largely rural district and the majority of the crime takes place in the rural parts of the area.

“We were very happy to be working in partnership with Northamptonshire Police on this day of action, but would reassure people that this will not be the only day of the year when rural crime is in our sights.”

Arrest details from rural crime day of action

A 53-year-old man and 28 year old man were arrested on suspicion of the theft of plant machinery

Two males aged 36 and 37 were arrested for illegal entry into the UK and are being dealt with by immigration services

A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of drugs and driving while disqualified