Crime Prevention

Read the NFU Mutual Rural Crime Report for 2022

Rural crime continues to be one of the biggest worries for the rural community with half of the respondents to NFU Mutual’s recent poll being concerned by rural crime, and a third saying it is of major concern.  The latest NFU Mutual Rural Crime Report shows that claims for thefts of Landrover Defenders increased by 34% and the increase in post-pandemic dog ownership has resulted in more sheep and lambs being injured or killed.   But it’s not all bad news – the cost of theft for GPS systems has decreased by 47% due to targeted support for police operations.    Read the full report here and also gain some tips and advice on crime prevention.

Warwickshire Police ask for help in identifying hare coursing incidents

Warwickshire Police is asking for your help in reporting any incidents of hare coursing or poaching.  Hare coursing tends to occur at this time of the year after harvest when large areas of land have been cleared of standing crops.  It usually occurs at dawn or dusk, but there have been reports at all times of the day and night.  Warwickshire Police is part of Operation Galileo, a national approach to hare coursing, with police forces working together to tackle this illegal wildlife crime.  What to look out for:

• Coursing tends to happen on large flat areas of land.
• Be aware of a vehicle or number of vehicles, usually estate cars or vans, parked in a rural area.
• Binoculars are used to spot hares or at night strong lights or beams are used.
• Coursers will often walk along the field to frighten a hare into the open.
• The dogs used tend to be sight hounds, such as lurchers or whippet type dogs that chase by sight.

If you see hare coursing taking place, or suspect it is happening in your area contact the police straight away.  You are advised not to approach the participants.  Photographs and details of number plates will help the Police.  You can also report incidents online at www.warwickshire.police.uk

Crime prevention advice for agricultural GPS systems

Theft of GPS systems, used by farmers on their vehicles and implements, is on the increase nationally, especially those used on tractors.  As well as the loss of this important piece of equipment, offenders can also cause damage to the tractor when removing it.  Forces around the country and abroad are working together, with key agencies, to identify the offenders and tackle this emerging crime. If you have this kind of equipment on your tractor, combine harvester or other machinery please read this advice sheet from Warwickshire Rural Watch.  You can download the advice sheet here.  

Contacts for the Warwickshire Rural Crime Team

We are fortunate in Warwickshire to have a dedicated Police team to work on rural matters. Please note the names and contact details for the Officers in the rural crime team below:

PC Andy Steventon– South West Warwickshire –- 07557 033186

PC Kate Taylor– South East Warwickshire –- 07814 046730

PC Matt Simms – South East Warwickshire –- 07841 048543

PC Andy Timmins– North Warwickshire –- 07790 951230

PC Andy Hoey– North Warwickshire –- 07870 514842

PC Jennifer May-Royle– Rugby, Nuneaton & Bedworth –– 07890 390715

The team are also supported countywide by Carol Cotterill who can be contacted on 07787 151848.

Please do not contact the above Police Officers to report a crime or when a crime is in action –  in these instances ring 999 or 101.  But the above contacts are available if you wish to discuss a specific issue or understand more of what the rural crime team is doing in your area. They will appreciate an invite to come and say hello, as they want to know their patches and the issues on the ground.  The above contacts can also offer crime prevention advice.

You can also follow the team on Facebook or subscribe to the Warwickshire rural alert system here.

Could the uWatch cube help with your security concerns?

The uWatch Cube is a little weather proof box that can be sited anywhere that has a mobile signal. If the cube is moved, something moves in front of it, a Bluetooth Tag activates it, the temperature is outside a range you have set or the internal clock has told it to activate you will receive an alert on your smartphone in less than 30 seconds. The uWatch Cube could therefore be used for a variety of situations including security and as such the device has Police “secured by design” approval for preventing and solving crime. To view full information on wWatch Cube please visit this website.

Rural Crime Reporting

As part of their ongoing work to tackle the serious issues surrounding criminal behaviour on farms and in the wider countryside, the NFU has partnered with the charity Crimestoppers to launch the Rural Crime Reporting Line, a service through which information about four rural crimes can be given anonymously. Rural crimes often go under-reported and their true extent remains unknown. Anyone who has experienced, witnessed or has any information about these rural crimes is encouraged to come forward and call the line – your information could be extremely valuable.

Contact number: 0800 783 0137
Website: http://www.ruralcrimereportingline.uk

Beware of fraudsters targeting farmers who receive subsidy payments

In the past, banks have warned that fraudsters pretending to be from their bank’s fraud department may try to target farmers who receive subsidy payments. Remember:
• Your bank will never ask you for your full online password
• Your bank will not ask you to make a payment over the phone using your online account.
• If you get a call from someone claiming to be from your bank (or any other organisation), make sure it’s genuine. End the call then wait 5 minutes and call them back on a number you know is correct (not a number they’ve given you).
• Never give your PIN and other passwords to a 3rd party even if you think you are speaking to your bank.

Cyber Safety Advice

In the light of the recent cyber attacks on the NHS Warwickshire County Council has produced some cyber safety advice for businesses.
To read the advice in full please use the link below.

New YouTube videos to help businesses avoid cyber crime

A new YouTube Channel has recently been launched which is specifically aimed at businesses. The Channel houses an array of short, useful videos covering cyber crime related topics.
Some of the video topics include Ransomware, Phishing Emails and Password Management. If you’d like to view the videos or look at what other topics are covered visit the YouTube Channel below.

Horse Watch

Warwickshire Horsewatch is also open for horse owners in the West Mercia area. Warwickshire and West Mercia forces also recognise that with rural and equine crime, thieves do not respect borders and what happens in one county soon moves across to another. Therefore, alerts from many other counties are included on their Facebook page and in their Bulletins. You are invited to join the Warwickshire Scheme. To join, please visit the Warwickshire Horsewatch website.