Rural Matters Rural policing in – a magazine for residents and businesses Autumn 2019

In this issue:

Fighting organised crime Jailed for artefact theft Illegal fishing action

Plus the latest news on rural and environmental policing in Kent Welcome to Rural Matters Latest news

Welcome to Rural Matters. See inside for the latest on the rural team. There are now more officers countywide Hare coursing action under national operation dedicated to tackling and preventing crime in the countryside. We’ve the latest news on the Rural Task Force – officers there to protect and support Kent’s rural communities. Harvest season is when the Rural Task Force prepares for an increase Hare coursing update: in reports of hare coursing in rural Team Leader Rural Sergeant • East Division Rural Task Force PCs communities countywide. Harry Callaghan and Michael Sutton Inspector Sergeant North Division – 07528 989095 The team run specific planned days were called to Ancient Highway, Deal, Dave Smith Darren Walshaw of dedicated patrols to counter the to a report of a man with two lurchers 07800 675376 07870 252185 • PC Darren Reed issue – which is not only damaging to hare coursing in a field between • PC Paul Williams the countryside and crops, it is also Sandwich and Deal. Witnesses • PC Adrian Goodsall frequently linked to other crimes including spotted dogs being set on a hare and North Division • PC Nathan Southern threats of violence towards landowners. captured video evidence which is M25 Medway Since the start of 2019 there has being reviewed. Sheerness A2 North Kent been a national drive to co-ordinate Dartford • East Division PC Tim Moody received Margate Swanley Gravesham work with all police forces affected Medway Herne Bay Thanet a call about five hares dumped near Ramsgate M2 by this ongoing rural problem. Kent Sittingbourne the A20 at Charing. He found an M20 A228 Police has now adopted the national Swale Faversham untaxed and uninsured Honda A229 A249 anterbury operation name ‘Op Galileo.’ M2 parked in a nearby pub car park with M26 Anyone reporting suspected Tonbridge A2 a blood stained interior and evidence M25 Sevenoaks Maidstone hare coursing activity please Malling Deal of dog hair. Maidstone Dover East Division – 07980 978202 quote this operation name. est Division Rural Task Force Inspector Dave Tonbridge M20 Edenbridge East Division • PC Dan Perry Smith said: ‘Op Galileo is a national

Dover • PC Tim Moody operation to deal with the seasonal issue officers have been using Criminal those involved damage property and Ashford Tunbridge Wells • PC Harry Callaghan of hare coursing which affects counties Behaviour Orders to act against poachers livestock and can behave threateningly Tunbridge shford like Kent which have large rural areas. and hare coursers. Offenders face jail to farmers and landowners who ells Shepway • PC Michael Sutton Cranbrook Police forces with similar landscapes are if they breach the terms of the order. challenge them. We continue to work responding and allocating resources to Last autumn two men, fined over £1,000 closely with local communities to get reflect the level of reports of this activity. between them for poaching, were also suspicious vehicles and people identified West Division – 07580 236308 ‘Legislation such as the Hunting Act subject to CBOs applied for by the and stopped. Local people will know 2004 and Game Act are used to deal Rural Task Force. It means if they are if something isn’t right and should • PC Marc Pennicott Rural Crime Co-ordinator with offences. In Kent working with seen trespassing on land with dogs report to us so we can take action. • PC Tom Smith communities to act on information anywhere in the county police don’t Please take note of any suspicious • PC Nick Lingham Doug Robertson about suspicious activity and secure have to prove they are hare coursing or unfamiliar vehicles at the side 07972 004578 • PC Anna Verrall sufficient evidence is key to success and can take immediate action. of the road, or in gateways, lamps in bringing offenders to court.’ Rural Task Force Sergeant Darren shining across fields, lurcher breed In Kent there have been prosecutions Walshaw said: ‘This illegal activity can dogs running free across fields and More rural contact information, see back page. (see below right) and since last year be linked with organised criminality and vehicles being driven across them.’

Report non-urgent crime online Your rural PCs are also on Twitter! Farm Watch WhatsApp expanding Poaching court result

The rural team regularly An online messaging system – A call about a suspicious vehicle driving Go to www.kent.police.uk/report Tweets updates on what Farm Watch WhatsApp – is going through a farm in Saint Nicholas- they’ve been doing and any from strength to strength as at-Wade last November alerted live incidents. numbers in the groups increase. police to possible hare coursing. The scheme is not for reporting The offender was seen by witnesses Follow @kentpolicerural crime, but is a tool to share information with two dogs running free over Report a crime, incident or non-injury for the latest news and directly with the Kent Police Rural fields and when Rural Task Force PCs information. Task Force. Users have reported the Darren Reed and Nathan Southern collision in minutes benefits during a trial in East Kent and arrived they found a dead hare. it’s now being introduced countywide. Their investigation led to a man If you want to learn more about appearing at Maidstone Magistrates joining, contact the rural team earlier this year where he pleaded Receive your confirmation email and (see phone numbers opposite). guilty to Hunting a Wild Mammal with reference number immediately Find out more about Farm Watch Dogs under the Hunting Act 2004 and WhatsApp action on page 4. was fined £624, ordered to pay £85 costs and a £85 victim surcharge. To remain anonymous contact Kent Crimestoppers online or call 0800 555 111.

2 3 Latest news

Search advisors honoured at Leeds Castle Jail for man who handled stolen ancient artefacts News in brief

Leeds Castle, which is is vital to a community, which Irreplaceable archaeological Rural team at celebrating its 900th the castle sits very much at artefacts including Roman NFU meeting anniversary year, was the the heart of. We are pleased hairpins and Anglo-Saxon Rural Task Force PCs Nathan setting for an awards to have been able to play a combs were among items Southern and Adrian Goodsall ceremony recognising police small part in saying thank you stolen from the Canterbury attended a National Farmers officers and staff who support to these dedicated officers.’ Archaeological Trust last year. Union meeting in Meopham. searches for vulnerable In a recent incident Rural Rural Task Force officers They gave a presentation about missing people. Task Force officer PC Dan Perry working with the Canterbury the team’s expansion and The event on 22 July was flagged down by a Community Policing Team to its role working with partner honoured the Police Search member of the public about a investigate the theft were able agencies to protect rural Advisors who volunteer high risk missing person. He to recover some of the 2,000 communities. Crime prevention outside their normal roles to said his mother-in-law, who stolen items. advice included protecting assist partners such as Kent has dementia, had been And on 26 July, Raymond plant, machinery and vehicles Search & Rescue (KSAR), missing for an hour. An Roberts, 37, was jailed for five and the importance of marking South East 4x4, and Kent Fire extensive search was carried months at Canterbury Crown and fitting trackers to property Rescue Service (KFRS) with out with a police helicopter and Court after admitting handling and having it registered. specialist advice. Head of search and rescue volunteers stolen goods and theft of Leeds Castle Security, Kelvin and the missing woman was metal cladding. Officers step in to Wood, said: ‘The work they do found in some woods. Officers had stopped and help poorly jogger arrested him after he was When Rural Task Force Sergeant spotted nearby when they Darren Walshaw and PCs Paul were called to an alarm Catapults seized from boys Farm Watch WhatsApp – sharing information to beat crime Williams and Nick Lingham activation at a local business were at Tankerton sea front to in Canterbury on 18 March. Kieran Doble, said: ‘These determine what each meet with Historic ’s An investigation revealed he important items provide us recovered item is and which Community involvement is the key to the Mark Harrison to receive new had a collection of artefacts with a rare insight into the past age it originates from. success of the recently introduced online sets of binoculars and night – 31 items, including Roman and were the result of many, ‘Some of the stolen items messaging system – Farm Watch WhatsApp. vision cameras they were bone hairpins and fragments many careful hours’ work. remain outstanding, including Rural Task Force Sergeant Darren Walshaw made aware of a jogger who’d of Anglo-Saxon combs, as well ‘Raymond Roberts was found a number of coins, and we ask said: ‘This scheme allows the fast time sharing become unwell on the sea as educational replica items with some of the stolen items, that anyone who believes they of information between the team and the front walkway. The officers confirmed stolen from the but without the context of the might have information about community. Its increasing success is only gave First Aid until paramedics Canterbury Archaeological correct archive and their whereabouts, contact possible with community support and we are arrived and stayed with them Trust in January 2018. cataloguing, I understand it Kent Police on 01843 222289 encouraged that a trial in the East of the county to help carry the woman up has seen the number of members growing daily.’ Investigating officer, PC will be hard for the trust to quoting 46/ZY/4200/18.’ Catapults were seized from two 11-year- Information on Farm Watch WhatsApp helped the steep sea front bank. recover this stolen dumper truck old boys by officers in Canterbury. Latest news from Farm Watch WhatsApp: The 11-year-olds were stopped in • A local farm manager with a tractor and chainsaw helped recover a white Bedford Godwin Road, after they were spotted dumper truck, valued at over £2,000, after it was found hidden in woods off a ‘LEAF’ Open Farm Sunday with the sling-shots. An officer later Chilham byway. Thanks to Farm Watch WhatsApp the team were able to contact spoke to their parents to let them know the owner and confirm it was stolen overnight from a Canterbury building site a the boys were found with the catapults The Rural Task Force took part few days before. and warned them of the dangers of using in the ‘LEAF’ Open Farm them. Police Community Support Office • Following information received from Farm Watch WhatsApp, a vehicle reported Sunday at Hartley Bottom. Tom Chapman said: ‘Unfortunately we acting suspiciously around farms in Kent was flagged up to police, located and seized The large scale events have recently had an issue with people in Slough. It was found with a tank full of red diesel with a further one at the back. weekend involves 11 farms shooting and killing ducks with catapults • As a result of information to Farm Watch WhatsApp officers attended a farm in across the county opening in the Canterbury area and I felt it Swingfield to meet a farmer where overnight four sheep had been killed and their doors to the public to important to speak to these boys and another three injured. A witness saw the dog run off from the scene and further see how they operate, explore their parents about the potential enquiries will be carried out, with DNA swabs taken from the dead animals. machinery and learn about consequences of carrying such weapons. (Livestock attacks increase, see page 8) animals alongside stall holders ‘Though they may seem like a harmless • A suspicious white van was seen after a break-in at Westwell where a garage from local business and bit of fun, catapults can cause a huge door was ripped open and several unique bikes stolen. Photos of the van and producers. amount of damage and unfortunately bikes were quickly circulated via Farm Watch WhatsApp. there have been cases where people have been hurt and animals killed.’ Farm Watch WhatsApp is a tool to share information directly with the team and not to Since police intervened there have no be used to report crime. Any crimes should be reported in the usual way; 999 if a crime further reports of animals being is in progress or 101 and online if non-urgent and don’t forget the Country Eye App. targeted locally.

4 5 Feature

Rural areas are targeted by criminals taking advantage of their isolated location Rural Task Force – taking action Rural Task Force Inspector Dave Smith, from Kent Police Tactical Operations said: ‘The rural landscape around crime is against organised crime in the changing. More often than not what appears a solitary incident can have far 2019 Rural Crime Report reaching links to other criminality. countryside Developing technology and greater awareness of prevention can help boost • Items most commonly targeted by security. thieves across the South East over the last 12 months were tools, All Terrain ‘Information sharing is key. We work have been marked with microdots. closely with partners and organise Vehicles (ATVs), quads, tractors and ‘Farmers are combining modern machinery. operations based on seasonal patterns of technology with physical fortifications to offending. We use an intelligence-led keep one step ahead. Together with • Marking and tracking devices are the approach to catching offenders and we digging ditches and putting up earth most effective security measures, once do this through building trust and banks to prevent criminals getting on to basic measures of keeping vehicles – confidence in local communities and farm land, we’re seeing electronic devices such as quad bikes – out of sight in a working with partners such as the NFU to like infra-red beams which send alerts to building with the machine secured have encourage reporting of suspicious activity mobile phones and geo-fencing, which been addressed. and using specialist technology and social triggers an alarm if tractors go beyond • Thieves are stealing expensive tractors media to maximise community farm boundaries. for export to developed counties and intelligence and reduce crime.’ ‘These technologies are proving to be small, older tractors to export to third George Ashby, an NFU Mutual Senior effective weapons in the fight against rural world countries. Agent in Kent, said: ‘Our advice to people crime. This is increasingly important • The cost of livestock theft reported to living and working in the countryside is to because determined thieves come armed NFU Mutual increased by 3.7 per cent regularly evaluate their current security with battery-powered angle grinders to cut from £2.4m in 2017 to £2.5m in 2018. measures – making improvements where through chains and padlocks in seconds to Technology – including DNA testing, necessary, remaining vigilant and access farm buildings and tool sheds. fleece marking with micro-dots, and reporting any suspicious activity to police ‘Innovative use of social media to report electronic chips – offer robust evidence and local Farm Watch schemes. criminal activity is also working well and to bring thieves to justice. ‘The good news is security technology is reducing isolation. There’s no doubt when developing fast and we’re already clearly • Thefts of large numbers of lambs is police, farmers and other rural raising concern stock is being stolen for seeing that thieves avoid tractors fitted organisations tackle rural crime in an with good security kit and sheep that unregulated processing to illegally organised way they get results.’ enter the food chain. ‘The good news is The way rural crime can be farmer in Northamptonshire Officers also regularly engage security technology defined is changing – as found sheep butchered in a and work with communities, incidents of farm machinery field to steal prime cuts of farmers and landowners to is developing fast and vehicle theft, historic meat to sell on. It was one deter and target crime. Rural Task Force results on one day….. and we’re already artefact looting and produce of five incidents reported in a The team was doubled in or livestock offences are fortnight in the area. size last November and there clearly seeing increasingly linked to In Kent rural officers have are now 12 dedicated officers • Two men reported trying to steal a that thieves avoid organised crime. dealt with targeted thefts of covering North, East and West manhole cover in Rye, East Sussex, Insurance Company NFU fish stocks, soft fruit, historic Divisions. They work closely were linked to a stolen vehicle tractors fitted with Mutual’s recently published assets such as valuable with partners such as the and theft of fuel, quad bikes and good security kit 2019 Rural Crime Survey statues or looted maritime Environment Agency, Historic generators in Kent. They were arrested by Rural Task Force officers despite and sheep that revealed the cost to farmers artefacts, high value farm England, Kent Fire and Rescue and landowners was on the rise machinery, vehicles and Service, Coastguard, RSPCA one trying to escape over a fence. have been marked – up 13 per cent from 2017. quad bikes and in one case and RSPB and local councils. • Two men were arrested for fraud after with microdots’ Much of this is driven by unlawful commercial shellfish They also support other local reports of a vulnerable Sevenoaks NFU Mutual farm vehicle, high value harvesting of native stocks Kent Police and cross border man paying out £250k for work costing tractor, machinery and tool along the East Coast. colleagues across local less than £50k. A van was also seized. thefts – with gangs targeting Kent Police’s Rural Task Force policing and serious crime. • Rural Task Force officers were involved ‘The rural landscape around crime is changing. More rural areas because of their is committed to preventing Officers have recovered in a pursuit after a vehicle failed often than not what appears a solitary incident can isolated locations. and detecting crime in the 65 items of stolen plant and to stop. The vehicle was halted on Produce and livestock can county’s rural areas and has machinery with a combined farm land and three people taken have far reaching links to other criminality’ also be targeted. In one successfully brought a number value of over £370,000 since into custody, including one known Rural Inspector Dave Smith, from Kent Police Tactical Operations recently reported case a of these offenders to court. January. to have links with organised crime.

6 7 County news

Autumn walks – keep dogs under control to protect livestock from harm Water mapping project to tackle rural and wild fires News in brief

Attacks on livestock by dogs have size. It is harrowing to see the often Fire teams and farmers are Lambs stolen continued across the county – with a devastating injuries and suffering caused. working together to make sure Two lambs were reported number of animals killed or having to be ‘This is why we urge owners to keep rural fires can be tackled swiftly. stolen overnight from a field put down because of their injuries. pets under control around any livestock. It follows a number of fires in Chartham Hatch. Fencing In a recent incident on 1 September Farmers are within their rights to shoot during dry weather last year. A was damaged where the seven sheep were killed on land at dogs if deemed to be worrying livestock. local farmer notified Kent Fire Texel Cross lambs were taken Thurnham. Two dogs, believed to have As a person in charge of a dog you could and Rescue Service about an in Denstead Lane. There accessed the land from a property be committing an offence if it’s proved to Sheep suffer terrible injuries in dog attacks and adaptor fitting which enables were no signs suggesting nearby, were seized by Rural Task Force be worrying livestock on agricultural land are often killed or have to be put down crews to draw water from a an animal attack. Anyone officers. Rural Task Force Sergeant and you could be liable for damages and farm’s bulk water to fight a The new coupling fits directly to most bulk water supplies with information call Kent Darren Walshaw said: ‘This was a compensation.’ NFU Adviser Georgia Craig be sheep around the corner – even the field fire quickly. Police and quote reference particularly nasty incident, leading to said: ‘Farmers spend countless hours best behaved dogs have a chase instinct.’ They discovered the vast 46/162040/19 or call some distressing injuries and ultimately tending their livestock and helping to care She added: ‘The law allows farmers to majority of bulk water Crimestoppers 0800 555 111. the deaths of a large number of animals.’ for our grazed countryside. Please avoid shoot dogs threatening livestock. Don’t supplies on farms across Kent This autumn the Rural Task Force and potential problems and keep dogs under put your pet in danger, keep it under and Medway had the same Rural Police Forum the NFU are urging both dog walkers close control and on a lead around cattle control at all times. Owners should check coupling. Now KFRS has fitted Rural Crime Co-ordinator and dog owners to keep pets on leads and sheep. Don’t be tempted to let your properties are dog proof, to prevent dogs its fire engines with these Doug Robertson gave a where appropriate and make sure they pet run freely in open fields as there may roaming freely.’ and is working with farmers presentation on 11 July are secure in properties near fields where to map emergency water at a Rural Police Forum at livestock is kept. Sergeant Walshaw said: Recent livestock attacks: supplies on their land. Tenterden Town Hall to ‘Sadly the number of attacks by dogs Kent NFU chairman Toby parish councillors from the 19 • Rural Task Force officers attended a location in Cranbrook in relation to a dog on sheep, and also in one case Alpacas, Williams, said: ‘This fantastic neighbouring parishes. Three attack on two alpacas. The owner of the dogs was identified and has agreed to has continued across the county in idea could save valuable new members were registered. recent months. As well as the suffering resolve the matter with the Alpaca owner financially. time in the initial fire-fighting caused, attacks can lead to huge financial • Officers attended a farm in Shottenden to speak with the owner following the phase by ensuring sufficient Trackers help trace killing of one of his sheep by a dog, held at the location by the farmer. losses for farmers and when a dog has water is immediately available Officers were contacted by a farmer in the Barham area in July after Kent Fire and stolen items a taste for killing and maiming sheep Photographs were taken, along with DNA swabs from the dog and dead sheep. before fires spread out of Rescue Service was called to a hay stack fire. The blaze was revealed as arson, Rural Task Force officers it often returns. Sheep and lambs can • The team were called to a farm in Headcorn following a sheep attack. The control.’ Kent NFU is asking with burned newspaper found stuffed between the bales. were able to trace £5,000 of suffer terribly. Pregnant ewes can lose farmer reported that three years previously sheep were killed by the same dog. farmers to support the tools stolen from a nursery their lambs when chased by dogs of any DNA analysis identified the dog and the owner accepted responsibility, paying project by mapping their on- fires caused by arson in rural important that landowners because some had trackers the sheep owner in full for the losses. farm water supplies through areas in the past, which can remain vigilant reporting fitted. They were traced to • A Community Resolution was agreed in relation to sheep killed in Hawkinge and the Country Eye app, www. have a serious impact on any suspicious activity to the a vehicle in Chatham and all subsequently identified via DNA links to the suspect dog. The dog’s owner has countryeye.co.uk land and property. We had a police. Wherever possible the stolen items recovered. paid the victim £1,690 compensation and signed an undertaking the dog will Rural Task Force Sergeant couple of barn fires last year security measures such as In another incident a member kept on a lead in public. Darren Walshaw said: ‘We along with field fires and a CCTV and alarms should be of the public flagged down have investigated reports of silage stack this year. It is considered.’ • A Husky escaped from its home address across fields. One sheep was attacked police to report his car and had to be put to sleep because of its injuries. A Community Resolution was stolen. As it had a tracker agreed between the victim and offender, with the dog owner paying £250 for fitted it was traced and damages and costs. Valuable Alpacas have been attacked by dogs Rural Task Force team at Ryarsh Primary School recovered in the same area. UXB alert on extension site Follow the NFU’s advice to visit the countryside safely with your dog: Rural Task Force officers EastEast Rural Rural Task Task Force Force officers officers met the community and evacuatedevacuated neighbouring neighbouring explained their role at a propertiesproperties after after being being • Keep your dog on a lead near sheep and cattle. packed open event at calledcalled about about a a UXB UXB found found • Bag and bin dog waste. Ryarsh Primary School. It is byby workmen workmen building building an an the second time the team • Follow paths and observe signs. extensionextension to to a a property property in in have attended the event. • Only release your dog if chased by cattle. LymbridgeLymbridge Green, Green, Stowting. Stowting. • Ensure your dog doesn’t wander off paths, into crops (which are being grown for TheThe officers officers put put up uproad road food) or where it may disturb wildlife. closuresclosures to to protect protect the the public. public. ExplosiveExplosive Ordnance Ordnance Disposal Disposal Ordnance Survey maps show public footpaths, byways and wider access. The website (EOD)(EOD) staff staff from from Shornecliffe Shornecliffe for Ordnance Survey, Britain’s mapping agency www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk has OS BarracksBarracks and and confirmed confirmed the the map apps for smart phones and GPS systems for walkers, cyclists and other itemitem was was a a WW2 WW2 device, device, countryside users. Follow The Countryside Code: www.gov.uk/government/ likelylikely to to be be a a smoke smoke grenade, grenade, publications/the-countryside-code whichwhich was was safely safely disposed disposed of. of.

8 9 Wildlife news round-up

Wildlife news in brief Buzzards suspected of being shot or poisoned Rural Task Force out and about at big events

Bat habitat fears Flying high above the countryside once rarely The popular Kent Police Open Trust and the Angling Trust. at Detling for all three days Concerns for protected bats seen buzzards are a delight for bird watchers Days event was held from The event showcased how supporting Kent Police and at a development site in the who spot their graceful flight and hear their 28-30 June at Kent Police the team works in partnership Crime Commissioner Matthew Maidstone area are being distinctive cry. College. to deal with rural, wildlife, Scott’s stand. investigated. Flying bats But Rural Task Force officers are continuing to The Rural Task Force shared environmental and heritage With four members of the were reported around the receive reports of dead birds, suspected of a marquee with colleagues Crime. Around 7,500 visitors team there each day they development site of an old being shot or poisoned, despite their protected from Citizens in Policing with attended the public open day attracted a lot of interest and industrial building where raptor status. support from the RSPCA, on 30 June. were able to promote their external openings and open Officers responded to a call from the Royal Mail Maidstone Borough Council, The Rural Task Force was work supporting the rural access spaces had been in Ashford who reported finding a dead buzzard Canterbury Archaeological also at the Kent County Show community to other exhibitors. covered with fixed netting. in their car park. The bird was seized for Officers are liaising with the examination to identify the likely cause of death. Bat Conservation Trust. North Division Rural Task Force PC Paul Fly tipping crackdown continues Williams was also called to a location in Nesting bird complaint Upchurch after a man recovered a dead buzzard priorities and all incidents are investigated. from woods. He reported finding another five Rural Task Force Sergeant Darren Walshaw North Division PC Nathan Rural Task Force Officers regularly work The Rural Task Force was recently found dead during 2018 and suspected they are said: ‘Buzzards are protected by the Wildlife Southern responded to a with local authorities and councils to joined by community policing teams and being targeted. The RSPCA will examine the and Countryside Act 1981. It is not only sad report that trees where birds target fly tipping. special constables in a joint partnership carcass to establish how the bird died. that anyone would target these birds of prey, were nesting in Faversham Recently while searching for a stolen operation alongside Environmental Earlier this year Rural Task Force Officers had which are recovering in numbers after once have been cut down. vehicle Rural Task Force PCs Nathan Enforcement Officers from all five collected two dead buzzards from different being hunted extensively, but if they are being Inquiries are continuing Southern and Adrian Goodsall found boroughs in East Kent. parts of the county and recorded their location targeted and illegally killed this is breaking the into the incident. Felling suspected large scale fly tipping at the A number of offences were reported, in case further birds are reported dead. Local law as they are protected.’ was stopped when it was rear of a site in Sittingbourne. including having no Waster Carriers landowners were advised that the birds are Buzzards were rarely seen in the South East revealed a council order was While they were there a tipper arrived Licence, and traffic offence and fixed protected. All the Rural Task Force team are up until the 1990s. They feed on small in place for no tree cutting and deposited a large amount of soil. The penalty notices issued. fully trained Wildlife Crime Officers. Raptor mammals such as mice and voles and until the end of August 2019. driver claimed he had been given A suspected stolen wood chipper was persecution is one of the National Wildlife sometimes carrion. Taxidermy bat sale permission by a man later identified as a seized when the identification marks were known fly tipper who had previously been found removed. Forensic tests confirmed East Division PC Michael prosecuted. Swale Borough Council is it was stolen in 2016. The victim has Cadets community work Sutton visited an auction Fishing offences focus of joint operation investigating with a view to court action. been updated. experience challenge company in relation to an online crime report of the sale of a taxidermy Kuhl’s A joint operation was carried A beach clean, litter picking and charity Pipistrelle bat, which is an out by the Kent Police Rural Waste offence update: fundraising saw Kent Police volunteer offence to offer for sale Task Force, Environment • Following a Kent wide operation in cadets working hard to deliver under the Habitat and Agency and Angling Trust with June a man was prosecuted for failing community projects in their areas. Species Regulations 2017. over 150 anglers checked to to produce a Waste Carriers Certificate From 15-19 July the cadets worked Following advice from the ensure they were fishing legally. or Waste Transfer notes. He had failed among officers at police stations around Bat Conservation Trust the Officers visited a number of to attend court previously and was Kent and rose to the challenge of owner, who said he believed fisheries on 9 June, including fined £360 for each offence, ordered developing a community project in their the bat wasn’t protected, sites in Paddock Wood and to pay £205 costs and to pay a £36 neighbourhood including a beach clean was given words of advice Marden on the lookout for victim surcharge. on the Isle of Sheppey, targeting and the buyer advised the poachers and people fishing plastic, and a litter pick at Riverside item can’t be re-sold. • Fly tipping was reported to Rural Task without a licence. woman found in possession of the wider range of criminality Force officers via Farm Watch Country Park, Rainham. They also Pheasant pen damage Kent Police is part of national a small amount of the drug offenders are often linked to. WhatsApp in Eastry where sofas were recently helped cyclists at a security campaign Operation Traverse and a wanted man was dealt We often get reports of drug bike marking event in Ashford. Security Rural Task Force officers are deposited over a farmer’s gate. The – a partnership effort between with regarding an outstanding and alcohol abuse around the marked bikes can be registered on a investigating around £20,000 vehicle involved was identified from police forces and the Angling warrant. Rural Task Force lakes which can present a national database, making it harder for of damage to pheasant pens dash camera footage and as a result Trust to actively target those Sergeant Darren Walshaw serious danger given the close thieves to operate. in Frittenden, believed to Dover District Council investigated and who fish illegally and the said: ‘Poaching fresh water proximity of very deep waters. Cadet Scheme Ambassador, Charlotte have been committed by a £400 fixed penalty notice was issued. crimes often associated with fish is a worrying crime for ‘This action formed part of Evans said: ‘The cadets’ programme has animal rights activists. The • A drone was used after waste dumping the offence. rural communities. Businesses our ongoing commitment to been growing since its launch in 2016. victim reported information was reported in Reculver. A farmer The officers reported a total can be devastated by the tackle the issue of poaching We’ve already seen 14 cadets go on to on Facebook by a group helped block access from the location of 16 fishing offences, with effects within a relatively short and support our local fisheries. join Kent Special Constabulary or claiming responsibility and Rural Task Force officers found a action taken against those space of time. Fishing clubs We will be running similar become a regular officer.’ for the damage. suspect vehicle, although the without a licence. They also are concerned about the enforcement days throughout Learn about the cadet scheme, occupants had left. The vehicle was gave a cannabis warning to a destruction of fish stocks and the coming months.’ www.kent.police.uk/cadets seized and investigations continue.

10 11 Kent Police – rural @kentpolicerural Partnerships A Moheda trailer similar to that shown below (stock image) was stolen from the Pembury area, West Kent between 15-19 June. If you have any information which could assist our investigation call 101. Rural team working with partners to protect rural communities

PCs Nick Lingham and Anna Verrall followed up a report of a trailer stolen from Tonbridge. The stolen equipment was a Moheda seven tonne forestry trailer worth £4,500. It was The team use their expertise to support Local Neighbourhood Policing Teams, PCSOs or stolen over a weekend from woods where it core response officers. The team are all fully trained Wildlife Crime Officers. was kept behind fencing and was padlocked.

Key partners working with Kent Police to keep rural communities safe

CRAG – Crime Rural Advisory Group CRAG, formed in 2012, brings together main rural stakeholders, including the National Farmers Union and Country Land & Business Association – representing a large percentage of land occupancy countywide. They bring their own insights to CRAG to help keep Kent Police informed on ever-changing issues in rural Kent. www.btfpartnership.co.uk email: [email protected] phone: Michael Bax 01233 740077

Kent Association of Local Councils KALC is a not for profit membership organisation serving member parish and town councils and parish meetings in Kent and Medway. It offers training, advice and services to member councils. KLAC works with rural officers to disseminate information on their behalf, and to gather crime information from towns and parishes. www.kentalc.gov.uk email: [email protected] phone: 01304 820173

National Farmers Union The NFU champions British farming and provides professional representation and services to its farmer and grower members. Around 70 per cent of full time farmers are NFU members. They aim to support Kent Police to engage with members’ extensive local knowledge, working in partnership with CRAG and other stake holder organisations. www.nfuonline.com email: [email protected] phone: 01730 711950

Kent Fire and Rescue Service Kent Fire and Rescue Service is responsible for delivering fire and rescue services to more than 1.7 million people. Each year fire officers deal with around 16,500 incidents including road crashes, house and barn fires and more than 2,400 non-fire rescues. KFRS works with the Kent Police, NFU, and CRAG to provide safety and risk reduction advice to support the agricultural business community. www.kent.fire-uk.org email: [email protected] phone: 01622 692121

Historic England Historic England is a public body which looks after England’s historic environment. There are over 400,000 protected sites and buildings in England and Historic England works across a range of partnership to prevent the loss and damage to our shared cultural heritage. Former Kent police officer Mark Harrison advises the organisation and works closely with rural officers and CRAG. www.historicengland.org.uk email: [email protected] phone: 01483 252020