Rural times
protecting our rural communities hampshire and the Isle of wight
summer 2015
CONTENTs l Editor
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Julie Jones Corporate Communications
the national rural crime network
Hampshire Constabulary
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i TEAM
Louise Hubble Strategic Rural Policing
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Forthcoming events and shows
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k
country watch priorities
hugh’s views
Inspector Hampshire Constabulary
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op falcon introduction by sgt simon flint
Simon Flint Op Falcon Sergeant Hampshire Constabulary
Deborah Holman Country Watch Sergeant Hampshire Constabulary
i get involved
n WEBSITE Hampshire Alert www.hampshirecountrywatch.co.uk
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l Protect your land
birds of a feather
meet the team others to make Hampshire and the Isle
across Hampshire and the Isle of
of Wight a hostile place for criminals.
Wight and that it is a no-go area for
We know that for our communities
Intro to Rural Crime by ACC Sara Glen
P
criminals.
living in these rural areas it is harder
Listening to what’s important to
to prevent and detect crime - there
those who live, work in and visit our
are often fewer witnesses to criminal
rural areas is vital - it’s how we can
activity and greater opportunities for
understand the issues they are facing
criminals to target isolated properties
and most importantly helps us to
and businesses.
tackle, disrupt and ultimately prevent criminal activity across the
olicing the rural geography
We also know that those who choose
of Hampshire and the Isle
to commit crime in rural areas pay
of Wight presents a unique
no attention to county borders, and
If you’re interested in finding out
challenge. Over the last
two counties.
our approach to policing is the same.
about police activity in the rural area,
three years, however, we have made
We will work with communities, other
please sign up to our free community
significant improvements in our
forces and partners county wide and
alert messaging system at
approach to rural policing and, in
country wide to ensure that these
www.hampshirecountrywatch.co.uk
particular, working in partnership with
people know they are not welcome
Simon Hayes, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight
R
ecognising that more than 85% of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight is rural, I made a commitment in my
Police and Crime Plan to address the inequality in the number of rural crimes that are solved compared to those in urban areas, meaning that victims of crime in rural areas often felt let down by the police. As part of my responsibility to hold the chief constable to account, I tasked him to ensure that appropriate focus was applied from within the constabulary
to help bring about consistent policing
Operation Falcon also encourages
services across the two counties. As a
members of the public to report
result, the chief constable established
anything or anyone they consider
an intelligence-led team to focus on
to be suspicious to the police.
rural issues. These were included
This has helped to ensure that the
in the Rural Policing Strategy jointly
constabulary delivers a policing
issued by the Office of the Police and
service in rural communities that
Crime Commission and Hampshire
is equal to that received in urban
Constabulary and which specifically
environments. As a result, policing
focuses on crime related to: farms and
in rural communities has improved
agriculture; local rural communities;
considerably, with more than 87% of
heritage; wildlife and environment;
rural-based victims of crime saying
and tourism.
they were “satisfied” with that service.
I was delighted to formally launch the Rural Policing Strategy at the New Forest Show in July 2014, alongside the ‘Hampshire Alert’, which helps keep local communities better
Over the last year, I have attended and addressed a number of local meetings, conferences and shows to help raise awareness and to provide reassurance.
informed about local policing and
Most recently, I have joined the
crime. Since then, the constabulary
National Rural Crime Network, which
has launched Operation Falcon,
is entirely complementary to the work
which delivers intelligence-led and
being undertaken by the constabulary
focused policing operations targeted
to maintain neighbourhood police
at specific types of rural crime. Aimed
teams in rural areas. Much of the work
at disrupting criminals who operate in
being undertaken by these teams can
rural communities and to help those
be considered “best in class” and I am
who live in, or visit rural locations, to
very pleased that we can now share
feel safer and less at risk of becoming
our experiences with other forces and
a victim of crime.
partner agencies at a national level.
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hugh’s views
R Hugh Oliver-Bellasis is
ural policing will always
realist but with solutions.” The force
be a challenge, because
has a new structure which is currently
Hampshire has a huge
bedding in and will take a moment to
amount of space with no
realise its full operational potential.
inhabitants; there is a large network
There is a greater understanding of
of Rights of Way (RsoW) and there
the challenge and an undoubted will
are ever fewer people working on the
to beat rural crime.
chair of the Strategic
land. Home Office statistics are biased
Independent Advisory
in favour of urban policing and many
Group (SIAG) and acts
police officers now work in unfamiliar
as a critical friend to the force.
areas and sometimes find it difficult to build up trust with rural communities.
you play your part.
Rachel Farrell, which highlighted the
on your land or down the lane?
issues and areas needing attention
House to house visitors asking
and mapped out a new approach.
strange questions; asphalt offered or
Due to the skill and dedication of
suddenly surplus garden furniture?
relatively few officers given the task of
Would you consider challenging a
sorting it out, rural policing has been
stranger in places off the beaten
transformed at a time when the force
track, even if it is just to check if
as a whole has far fewer resources
they are lost? Our police force needs your help. They are fewer in number and cover the same ground. The task is ever more of a challenge because
They often have more appropriate
the villains are always trying to be
vehicles than the police and certainly
a pace ahead of the law. Sign up
use much of the same technology
to Hampshire Country Watch, be
illegally! In addition they play to the
inquisitive and remember – too
rural communities’ weaknesses with
much reporting is better than none
considerable skill: they exploit the
at all; one day your little piece
space, Rights of Way, old 4x4s which
of information will complete the
are trashable and are often more
picture and “bingo”. Everyone has
comfortable with the countryside
a responsibility to keep our rural
than others that live there.
communities safe. Please ensure
Maybe, I hear you say “you are a pessimist”? I would reply “I am a
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entails looking and interpreting why is there an unfamiliar vehicle
well equipped.
safe; please ensure
for the rural public to help – that what you are seeing – for example,
potential villains are very mobile and
our rural communities
force has done well. There is a need
review by chief superintendent
at a premium and hard to acquire. The
responsibility to keep
poorly assessed budget cuts, the
This story begins with the rural
but challenges remain. Intelligence is
Everyone has a
Against the backdrop of savage and
you play your part.
the National Rural Crime Network
S
imon Hayes, Police and
improved considerably, with more
and I will use it to help inform
Crime Commissioner for
than 87% of rural-based victims of
the work being carried out by
Hampshire and the Isle
crime saying they were “satisfied
Hampshire Constabulary to help
of Wight, has joined the
with the service” they now receive
keep rural communities even
National Rural Crime Network.
from the police.”
safer.”
The network works collaboratively
“I see joining the National Rural
Assistant Police and Crime
to achieve greater recognition and
Crime Network as being entirely
Commissioner, Judy Venables,
understanding of the problems
complementary to the work
attended the Highclere Country
and impact of crime in rural areas,
being undertaken by Hampshire
Show during the Bank Holiday
so that more can be done to help
Constabulary to maintain
weekend, where she talked to
keep people safer.
neighbourhood police teams in
visitors about rural issues in
rural areas. Much of the work being
general and what most concerned
In taking this decision Mr Hayes
undertaken by these teams can be
them. The majority of responses
said: “When I took office in
considered ‘best in class’ and I am
showed that Hampshire is
November 2012, I recognised
very pleased that we can now share
regarded as a safe place to live,
that there was inequality in the
our experiences with other forces and
work or visit. The main issues
way rural crimes were perceived
partner agencies at a national level.“
highlighted centred around theft
against those committed in the
of machinery from rural premises
towns and cities. I said that I
“I have joined the network at the
would provide an improved
time it is launching its National
policing service that was
Rural Crime Survey, and I would
consistently delivered across
urge all those living in rural areas
both urban and rural areas.
of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to take part in the survey which
“To achieve this objective I
can be found on their website:
launched my Rural Policing
www.nationalruralcrimenetwork.
Strategy in July 2014 and since
net. The results of the survey
then, I am delighted to say that the
will help show the true impact of
service to rural communities has
policing and crime in rural areas,
and keeping equipment safe.
87% 2014
victims rural satisfied policing by police strategy service launched
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Country Watch priorities
C
ountry Watch is Hampshire Constabulary’s Wildlife and Rural Crime team. Its members are trained specialist officers who work alongside the Neighbourhood Policing Teams
and other partner agencies in dealing with rural issues. The team is led by Inspector Lou Hubble and Sergeant Debby Holman. The team comprises six police officers and four PCSOs located around Hampshire. The IOW Country Watch team is led by Sergeant Mark Lyth, who is supported by two police officers and two PCSOs.
i Our team priorities fall in line with those set by the National Wildlife Crime Unit for the UK.
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The role of the Country Watch PC mainly involves
Fish poaching can also have a financial impact on
enforcement, education, the disruption of offending
legitimate fisherman or fish farmers. There is often
behaviour, and the investigation of rural crimes,
confusion in relation to whether a body of water can
where their specialist skills and knowledge are
be fished or not. It is best practice to ensure you
required.
have permission to fish in any stretch of water that
The role of the Country Watch PCSO is to engage
you intend to visit.
with rural communities, providing a visible presence,
Country Watch also deals with investigations involving
reassurance and specialist crime prevention advice
farm animals, dogs worrying livestock (the majority of
for landowners, farmers and residents..
the team are trained Dog Liaison Officers), heritage
For both PCs and PCSOs a key element of their dayto-day business is finding solutions to ongoing issues affecting rural communities. All the officers on the
crime, theft of agricultural plant, tools and machinery, equine crime and any incidents involving hunting or shooting.
team have attended a national accredited Wildlife
In a nutshell, anything which has a rural flavour will
Crime Investigators course, providing expert training
see County Watch either taking on the investigation
in crimes against animals, plants and protected land
or reviewing the information available and offering
and habitats. Our team priorities fall in line with
expert assistance and support to our colleagues both
those set by the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU)
within the police and in our partner agencies.
for the UK. The current UK priorities are bat crime, badger crime, bird of prey persecution, poaching and the illegal trade in endangered species. Of the UK priorities, poaching is the highest in Hampshire and the IOW. Deer, hare and game poaching is still a major issue for our landowners,
Call Hampshire Constabulary on 101 In an emergency always call 999 Deaf? Non-emergency text 07781 480999 www.hampshirecountrywatch.co.uk
farmers and rural communities. We recognise the damage caused to fences and crops by poachers which can have a significant financial impact. Hare coursing is often linked to threats, intimidation or violence.
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Birds of a feather
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The wildlife of today is not ours to dispose of as we please. We have it in trust. We must account for it to those who come after. King George VI very spring and summer, Hampshire Constabulary
While some pest species of birds, such as magpie,
receives numerous reports of potential
jay, jackdaw and pigeon can be controlled under the
disturbance to nesting birds. These range from
conditions of the general licence, this relates only to the
home owners undertaking gardening work
birds and not their eggs. There are very few exceptions
contractors or local authority workers undertaking tree
to this and you should check the most up-to-date general
surgery work to builders working too close to a nesting
licence for specific information on included species.
site while building an extension or converting a barn. Guidance from Natural England states that the bird nesting season is from the March 1 to July 31. There will obviously be annual variations on this depending in the weather and average temperature. Consequently nesting may start prior to and extend beyond these dates.
To minimise the risk of committing an offence, it is recommended that any work to hedgerows, trees and garden shrubbery is done outside of the nesting season. If it must be undertaken during the nesting season a survey of the area must be conducted prior to work commencing to ensure there are no nests in the area.
All wild birds are protected by law while actively nesting.
Remember that some birds, such as curlew, redshank,
As well as the birds themselves their chicks and eggs
snipe, lapwing, nightjar and dartford warbler, nest on
are protected. It is an offence to kill, injure or take any
the ground, so when you are out walking ensure that
wild bird, and to intentionally damage or destroy the
you stick to footpaths and keep dogs and children under
nest of any wild bird while that nest is in use or being
control. There are more than 570 species of bird in the
built. It is also an offence to take or destroy any wild bird
UK. With a little bit of thought around the type of work
eggs. All of the above are offences under the Wildlife
we undertake and when we schedule it, we can all do our
& Countryside Act 1981 and could result in a criminal
bit to support our native birds and ensure they have the
investigation by the police.
best chance of breeding.
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caught and convicted
This is a really encouraging outcome arising from a detailed investigation which has resulted in these four men pleading guilty at court.
F
our men have pleaded guilty to poaching
practice by Hampshire Constabulary, the
offences following an incident at a farm
dog involved in the offence was also seized
in Warnford in November 2014.
by police. The incident was investigated by
On Thursday, April 16, at Aldershot
the force’s Country Watch unit. Investigating
Magistrates Court, Matthew Giles, 32, of
officer PC Jon Radcliffe said: “A close working
Common Road, Lingfield, Surrey; James Smith,
relationship between Hampshire Constabulary,
22, of Stovolds Hill, Cranleigh, Surrey; Edward
surrounding forces and members of the rural
Watson, 39, of The Haven, Billingshurst, West
community resulted in a successful outcome
Sussex; and a 16-year-old boy from Surrey
for this investigation. Country Watch continues
all pleaded guilty to offences under the night
to work hard to make rural Hampshire a hostile
poaching act. Watson also pleaded guilty to
environment for criminals.”
causing criminal damage to crops growing in the fields. During the incident, vehicles were seen driving across fields and a dog was seen to be chasing wild mammals.
Sergeant Debby Holman added: “This is a really encouraging outcome arising from a detailed investigation which has resulted in these four men pleading guilty at court. We recognise
All four were ordered to pay compensation
the impact that poaching can have on rural
to the owner of the crops and to the police
communities and we hope this result will go
for costs incurred in the kennelling of the dog
some way to spreading the message that it
during the investigation. This totalled over
will not be tolerated in Hampshire. Our thanks
£900 each. In addition, Watson was disqualified
go to the officers concerned and the rural
from driving for two years. As is now common
communities who assisted in this investigation.”
hot off the press
F
ollowing a joint operation between
It is with your support that we are able to
Hampshire Constabulary and Thames
prosecute people such as the man involved in
Valley Police, Elwyn Ingram, 45, was
this occurrence.
charged with causing unnecessary
suffering to a roe deer. Evidence recovered by police showed Ingram, a father of five from The Willows Caravan Park, Sandhurst Lane, Gloucester, sitting astride the deer suffocating it with his hands. The deer was clearly in a great deal of distress and was struggling to get free. Ingram pleaded guilty at court and was sentenced to a 14-week prison sentence, suspended for two years. He has also been given a curfew between 7pm and 7am on an electronic tag for 12 weeks, 180 hours unpaid work and £165 fine/costs. Thank you to all those in our rural communities who continue to provide information to us in relation to criminal activity.
O
n Friday, July 10, Edward Watson appealed against his sentence for being disqualified from driving. This appeal was dismissed by
the judge, sitting with two lay justices. They stated the sentence was proportionate and he remains disqualified from driving until April 2017. Inspector Lou Hubble said: “This is a very reassuring result as it demonstrates that the Crown Court is being robust in dealing with such matters. It’s probably a bit of a blow to Watson and we hope it may deter his friends and associates from acting in this manner for fear that they may also lose their driving licences.”
To hear these outcomes as they happen, sign up to www.hampshirecountrywatch.co.uk 9
get involved
Hampshire Alert and Hampshire Country Watch
W
ould you like to receive crime and community information messages specifically based on where you live, your
demographic profile or even down to what your hobbies and interests are? Being able to update local communities with information that is timely and relevant sounds simple, but the police have not always had the technology or methods to do this in a simple way. In response to particular concerns raised by rural communities about being more informed about what’s going on, the force has invested in a community messaging system that allows us to send real-time targeted crime alerts, witness appeals and information about positive police action in the community tailored specifically to the recipient. Hampshire Alert is a free web-based system which the public can sign up to and allows you to choose what information you want to receive and what format you want to receive it in – email, text or phone message – so the “alert” is personal to you. It’s free to join and receive messages so it’s a really good way to keep people informed.
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The force has three alerts sites − www.hampshirealert.co.uk for communities
JOIN TODAY
within Hampshire, www.iowalert.co.uk specifically designed for communities on the Island, and for our rural communities www.hampshirecountrywatch.co.uk People can sign up via the website, via their neighbourhood teams or via a portable kiosk that can be taken to events. People don’t need to have access to the internet as details can be added manually. The alerts sites are also linked to the Neighbourhood Watch network so anyone in a scheme can also access information about their specific watch and neighbourhood teams can communicate directly with the database of members.
To sign up, simply visit www.hampshirecountrywatch.co.uk and click on register.
Country Watch Community
Saturday, August, 8
Engagement Events 2015
Ellingham Show, Ringwood
Tuesday, July, 28
Saturday, September, 5
Wednesday, July, 29
Alresford Show
Thursday, July, 30 New Forest Show, Brockenhurst Saturday, August, 1 Burley Show
Receive FREE crime and community information about where you live Register at www.hampshirecountrywatch.co.uk
Saturday, September, 12 Romsey Show Sunday, September, 13 Hampshire Country Sports Day 11
Protect your land l Advice on choosing the right business or service
P
olice officers are often asked if they know of a
alarms, fire systems and CCTV among many others. On
reputable business, tradesperson or security
this website you can search for approved contractors
product that they can recommend. Officers
who have gone through a rigorous vetting process to
cannot promote or endorse specifically, but
be endorsed by the board.
what we can do is direct you to a variety of approved organisations–where you will find vetted and approved
If you wish to research your own companies in this
companies and products. Below is a guide for
area – make sure they are part of one of the two above
homeowners and business owners.
organisations, or the Buy With Confidence scheme (detailed further down).
CCTV and Alarms Visit www.ssaib.org.uk and www.nsi.org.uk for information on the above. The Security Systems and Alarm Inspection Board, and the National Security Inspectorate are specialist certification bodies for 12
Locks and security Visit the Master Locksmiths Association www. locksmiths.co.uk and Sold Secure www.soldsecure. com for services and products relating to security.
Designing "out" crime
integrity. Also, if any disputes arise Trading Standards can help mediate. This scheme is not run for profit and all funds received are
Visit Secured By Design www.securedbydesign.com
ploughed back in to the scheme. Hampshire,
to see information on how crime can be prevented
Southampton and the Isle of Wight councils run
through the right designing and use of appropriate
the BWC, and Portsmouth has a similar scheme
products. SBD was established in 1989 as part of the
called Square Deal www.portsmouthsquaredeal.
Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), and is the
co.uk
corporate title for a group of national police projects.
Security products
Your right to cancel The law has recently changed and as of June 2014
www.soldsecure.com is the premier testing and
the Consumer Contracts Regulations replaced the
certification house for security products. The
Distance Selling Regulations and the Doorstep
products are too numerous to mention, but all
Selling Regulations. As a consumer you have rights
have been tested to a demandingly high standard,
protecting you when it comes to goods and services –
and some items offer a compensation to the owner
please visit these easy to read articles at the following
should they fail to protect, so confident is the
web addresses for more information;
manufacturer (see OnGuard bicycle locks). They also have a bronze, silver, and gold standard dependent
http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation/
on one’s budget.
consumer-contracts-regulations
Buy With Confidence scheme
https://www.gov.uk/doorstep-selling-regulations
Some councils run the above scheme www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk where local tradespersons are vetted by Trading Standards officers, and continue to be monitored to ensure residents receive a quality service to maintain
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OP FALCON spotlight
O
peration Falcon is the overarching umbrella for all proactive operations targeting rural crime and criminality. Through coordinated activities we aim to protect our rural communities
and make them a hostile environment for criminals, reduce rural crime and improve confidence in the police among rural communities. Rural crime and criminality is far more seasonal than in urban areas. By using research and analysis tools we are able to identify key crime types for each month. These operations will be led by a district chief inspector with responsibility being shared across the force area.
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Operational activity falls into
Reassurance – Op FALCON will
numerous driving offences have
four key strands:
identify vulnerable locations and
been identified and offenders
people, and will provide reassurance
prosecuted; numerous warrants
Prevention – Op FALCON will
through community engagement.
have been executed; beauty spot
use the neighbourhood teams,
We will utilise Hampshire Alert to
car parks have been patrolled
media and educational tools to help
promote good news stories and
throughout Hampshire; four men
communities understand local and
share our prosecution successes.
have prosecuted for theft from
national issues. We will continue
motor vehicles and all received
to work with existing partner
Operational activity to date has
custodial sentences; four men
organisations to ensure the success
resulted in the arrest of one man
have been charged and prosecuted
of this plan.
for theft of lead from a church; two
for conspiracy to hare course; and
men arrested for possession of
another man has been charged
Intelligence – Op FALCON will
drugs after stop searches in rural
and prosecuted for animal cruelty
promote new partnership working
locations; five vehicles involved in
offences.
and encourage rural community
rural crime have been seized;
members to feed information and
Intelligent policing provides
intelligence through to the police. In
resource deployment in the right
return, we will share information we
place at the right time based on
have via internal processes and to
current information and intelligence.
the public via Hampshire Alerts.
This policing style increases public confidence while allowing police
Enforcement – Op FALCON will
resources to proactively target
provide a monthly force-wide rural
identified areas of criminality.
operation. Information received from the public will be used to
We need your help and input to
inform the themes of
target the right places. Operation
these operations.
Falcon will exemplify intelligent policing and will be complementary to our policing mission to make all of our communities an increasingly hostile place for criminals.
We need your help and input to target the right places. 15
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