Sunday, 18 December 2011 10:17

Police clampdown on rural crime

Written by  Ruralcity Media
Police clampdown on rural crime

POLICE forces are launching innovative approaches to tackling rural crime in the run-up to Christmas.

Operation Breakout is a joint initiative piloted by Norfolk Constabulary and Suffolk Constabulary in East Anglia.

It aims to combat overnight crime along the county boundaries of Breckland, South Norfolk, Forest Heath and Mid-Suffolk.

High visibility patrols are being carried out along from 8pm to 4am along the border area in response to analysis which shows that rural areas are often targeted by criminals.

Officers are also targeting those suspected in involvement of rural crimes including burglary, vehicle crime, theft of metal and fuels. The operation is currently running as a pilot in the run-up to Christmas.

A spokeswoman said officers would work together to enhance the policing service to rural communities by disrupting those who carried out crime in the areas along the border between the two counties.

"This intelligence-led operation is a local policing solution to a local policing problem. We have designed it to make the best use of our available resources, for the benefit of local communities."

East Anglia isn't the only area taking an innovative approach to rural crime.

In Dorset, Dorchester police officers enlisted the help of local game keepers and farmers to act as spotters for suspicious vehicles in the area.

Dubbed Operation Shogun, the visible presence of local officers and spotters resulted in few cars being in the area. As part of the operation, any suspicious vehicles were stopped and searched.

Neighbourhood Inspector Les Fry said: "Operation Shogun is a great example of the police and the rural community working together to prevent and deter those intent on committing crime in the rural areas.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank those members of the community who gave up their time to assist us in the operation.

During the operation, police stopped and searched a car containing people that had previous convictions for rural theft offences.

Inspector Fry said: "I am confident that our presence during the operation ensured that these individuals, and anyone else considering committing rural crime in the area, did not do so.

"We will be repeating this operation whenever and wherever there is a need."

The police wanted criminals intent on targeting rural areas to know officers were working very closely with the rural community to reduce crime in the countryside.

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