Police and crime commissioner welcomes investment to tackle rural crime
West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion has welcomed a fresh injection of funding aimed at protecting the region’s vast rural landscape.
With a third of the local population living in the countryside, the PCC highlighted the importance of a new £800,000 investment into the National Wildlife Crime Unit and the National Rural Crime Unit.
The funding boost was confirmed by Policing Minister Sarah Jones during the National Rural Crime Network conference. Deputy PCC Marc Bayliss, who represents the region on the national project delivery group for serious organised rural crime, attended the event where the announcement was made.
The investment is designed to bridge the gap between law enforcement, politicians, insurers, and the farming community to create a more unified front against criminal activity.
Statistics from the latest DEFRA census underline the scale of the challenge in the region, revealing that West Mercia is home to 8,451 farms. This is more than double the number found in Lincolnshire, which holds the second highest total in the country.
Locally, the PCC has already implemented several measures to support those living in more isolated areas. This includes funding five dedicated Rural and Business Crime Officers and investing over £190,000 annually into the We Don’t Buy Crime initiative, which focuses on preventing acquisitive crime through methods such as the rollout of SmartWater.
Additionally, call handlers have received specialist training through a partnership with the NFU to ensure reports from the farming community are better understood and managed.
PCC John Campion said: “Rural crime is a key commitment within my Safer Communities Plan, so I welcome this additional funding to support local efforts to prevent crime and bring offenders to justice but it’s just one part of the solution.
“Rural crime is complex, with our rural communities facing a number of crimes that can often be complex. That’s why I will continue to amplify their concerns and ensure everything possible is being done to provide them with the policing service they expect and deserve.”
