Thames Valley Police has launched its Rural Crime Taskforce, in a bid to make the area a hostile place for those who commit rural crimes. 

Thames Valley Police launches Rural Crime Taskforce

1 March

The task force will focus on all sorts of rural crime, like offences that relate to farms, agriculture, wildlife, the environment and heritage sites where they are targeted due to their isolation or rural location. Spanning across harm to animals and the theft of vital machinery, rural crime causes distress, misery and unnecessary hardship for farmers who rely on their land and machinery for their livelihoods.  

There is also proactive work led by the Taskforce, which has included working with the Economic Crime Unit to look into money laundering, showing how rural crime can often link into organised crime and the key role the Taskforce will play in supporting wider police operations.  

Rural Crime Taskforce Inspector, Stuart Hutchings said:

 “The trust and confidence of our rural communities is extremely important to us and that is why we are grateful to the Police and Crime Commissioner for the funding which has enabled us to develop a Rural Crime Taskforce.  

“The Taskforce will make the Thames Valley a hostile place for anyone looking to commit rural crime. We now have a team of dedicated officers committed to making our rural communities safer as well as staff waiting to take your call who are trained in the complexities of rural crime and its impacts. We will not tolerate rural crime.”  

Matthew Barber, Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, said: 

“I am delighted to see the Rural Crime Taskforce come to fruition after months of careful planning.

“The Taskforce will support communities across the whole of our region to create a hostile environment to commit crime.

“As well as collaborating with partner agencies, the Taskforce will also work alongside the Joint Operations Unit in Hampshire to tackle serious and organised rural crime.

“Today’s launch highlights how I am determined to bear down on those who commit crime in all parts of the Thames Valley as part of my Police and Criminal Justice Plan.

“If you believe a rural crime is being committed in your community, please contact Thames Valley Police by using their online reporting form.”  

If a crime is happening or someone is in danger, call 999. 

If you think a rural crime is being committed then contact by  reporting a crime online. 

You can also report wildlife crime anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555 111.  

Further information on rural crime and prevention advice can be found on their website.