DEVON & Cornwall Police recently led a major operation to crack down on rural crime, collaborating with multiple agencies.

On September 24, the Rural Affairs team at Devon & Cornwall Police led Operation Ragwort – an annual, regional operation which sees forces working together to target aspects of rural crime.

More than 90 officers and other personnel took part in the operation.

Officers from Devon & Cornwall Police were joined by partner agencies including the Driving Vehicle Standards Agency, Trading Standards, VINCHIP industry expert in forensic recovery Nick Mayell, the Environment Agency and the National Construction and Agricultural Theft Team, as well as officers from Avon and Somerset, Dorset, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire.

With support from the Police Drone team, officers carried out high-visibility patrols and stop-checks on popular routes in Devon, looking for signs of any stolen equipment, plant or livestock, and for vehicles associated with potential environmental waste crime such as fly tipping.

More than 200 vehicles were stopped and checked, resulting in officers identifying:

  • 1 x vehicle with an expired MOT
  • 1 x tachograph offence
  • 1 x construction and use offence
  • 2 x commercial vehicles exceeding the weight limit

Officers were also based at local agricultural supply stores to engage with rural communities, raising awareness about trends in rural crime and prevention measures as part of a two-pronged approach to the day of action.

PC Clarke Orchard is the force lead for Farm Machinery, Agricultural Plant and Agricultural Vehicle Theft, and was responsible for coordinating the operation.

PC Orchard said: ‘Partnership working with other forces in the region is crucial to tackling rural crime and keeping our rural communities safe.

‘As part of Operation Ragwort, we identified five offences and took action to make the roads safer for people living and working in the force area.

‘Both at the road checkpoints and in the agricultural stores, we were also to engage positively with lots of people.

‘We know that rural crime has a huge impact on our local communities, and this operation is just one example of how we’re working in collaboration with partner agencies and other forces to tackle rural crime and keep people safe’.

According to the latest NFU Mutual Rural Crime Report, the estimated cost of rural crime in the UK was £44.1million last year.

Devon & Cornwall Police recognises the impact crime has on rural and farming communities.

People living in rural areas are encouraged to report crime and suspicious behaviour to police by speaking with local officers, using the online reporting form on the force website or by calling 101.

For the latest news and crime prevention advice, follow the Rural Affairs team on Facebook: www.facebook.com/DCPoliceRural