Rural Matters Rural policing in – a magazine for residents and businesses Autumn 2020

In this issue:

Killing wildlife – men jailed Drone supports crime Rural Task Force latest action prevention

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 Task Force. There are now more officers countywide Three jailed for hunting and killing wildlife – phone messages reveal offences dedicated to tackling and preventing crime in the countryside. We’ve the latest news on how these officers, partners and colleagues are working to protect and support Kent’s rural communities. Email your Rural Task Force team – [email protected] Phone messages revealed that appeared to be a large how a group of hunters hunting group. There were a killed badgers, foxes number of messages in the Team Leader Rural Sergeant and hares for ‘a bit of group from Harry Noble. North Division – 07528 989095 Inspector Sergeant sport’ with their dogs. ‘A warrant was executed Dave Smith Darren Walshaw Three men have now been at Noble’s address in March • PC Paul Williams 07800 675376 07870 252185 jailed after the WhatsApp 2019 and his phone was • PC Adrian Goodsall messages uncovered seized. Messages revealed • PC Nathan Southern by RSPCA investigators, comments, photos and North Division • PC Marc Pennicott working closely with the videos related to offences

M25 Medway Kent Police Rural Task Force, against badgers and foxes. Sheerness A2 North Kent revealed a string of cruel He also recorded voice Dartford & Margate Swanley Gravesham offences against wildlife. notes and posted messages Medway Herne Bay Thanet Ramsgate Matthew McWilliam Junior about his friends who he M2 Sittingbourne M20 A228 of New Romney, Jethro went out with for ‘a bit of Swale Faversham A229 A249 Smith of Hothfield near a sport’ with their dogs. M2 M26 Canterbury Ashford, and Harry Noble, ‘In some of the videos, dogs Tonbridge A2 M25 Maidstone of Stowting, had pleaded can be seen setting upon Sevenoaks & Malling Deal Maidstone Dover East Division – 07980 978202 guilty to a number of welfare a badger. The conversation West Division offences involving wilfully also relates to setting the Tonbridge M20

Edenbridge East Division • PC Dan Perry exposing wild animals and dogs on foxes and hares.’

Dover • PC Matt Lehman their dogs to injury and pain. This discovery led to three Ashford Tunbridge Wells • PC Harry Callaghan The first two men had further warrants at properties Tunbridge Ashford & appeared at in Ashford, Maidstone and Wells Shepway Folkestone • PC Michael Sutton Cranbrook Magistrates Court on 21 New Romney in October July when they were each 2019. A total of four dogs jailed for four months, were seized, who will be West Division – 07580 236308 deprived of their dogs and rehomed by the RSPCA. disqualified from owning Rural Task Force Sergeant • PC Luke Jorden Rural Crime Co-ordinator any animal for life. At the Darren Walshaw said: ‘We • PC Tom Smith court on 24 September Harry work closely with the RSPCA • PC Nick Lingham Doug Robertson Noble was also jailed for on a range of animal welfare 07972 004578 Harry Noble, one of three men jailed for animal welfare offences • PC Anna Verrall four months and banned issues, providing support from owning dogs for life. and evidence capture in RSPCA Special Operations order to assist them in under the Wildlife Act. These participating in illegal blood Unit officer Pippa Boyd securing convictions. individuals’ actions were not sports that their actions More rural contact information, see back page. said: ‘After investigating ‘In this instance an only criminal but barbaric will not be tolerated.’ another individual for wildlife intelligence led approach was and cruel. We are committed The judge ordered Smith to offences in East Anglia we taken which led to successful to working with the RSPCA pay £4,450 costs. McWilliam Report non-urgent crime online New Twitter account! found a Whatsapp chat convictions for offences to send a message to those and Noble £2,000 each.

Your Rural Task Force PCs have a new Twitter account Hare coursing suspects’ Go to www.kent.police.uk/report @kentruralpolice seized car crushed after The team regularly Tweets getting stuck in field updates on what they’ve been doing and any live incidents. Suspected hare coursers tried to drive Report a crime, incident or non-injury Follow for the off from police across a field but their latest news and collision in minutes Subaru Impreza got stuck in the wet information. ground. They fled on foot and Rural Task Force officers were able to seize the Receive your confirmation email and vehicle at Higham, Rochester. Because reference number immediately it had never been registered it was crushed and recycled. To remain anonymous contact Kent Crimestoppers online or call 0800 555 111.

2 3 Latest news

Latest technology helps rural officers track crime Hare Coursing – Op Galileo

The Rural Task Force not only carries Kent Police continues to ‘It is important all incidents out regular patrols to tackle crime work with forces nationwide are reported and recorded countywide its officers also use specialist under Op Galileo to tackle with us – which can be done equipment to help in investigations. illegal hare coursing. via Country Eye App, online One of the team’s Rural Crime Strategy The Rural Task Force or by calling 999 or 101 as objectives is to make the best use has been busy operating appropriate. This is the second of the latest technology to maximise dedicated patrols to tackle year Kent Police continues community intelligence and reduce crime. the seasonal issue which is to work with other forces They have access to night vision, illegal, cruel to the animals across the country with the thermal imaging and have their involved and causes harm national operation name of own drone with a pilot in each of and financial damage to Op Galileo. Anyone reporting the Rural Task Force sub teams. farmers’ land and livelihoods. hare coursing activity The use of the drone has boosted the Rural Task Force Sergeant should quote this name.’ team’s ability to track down stolen items. Darren Walshaw said: ‘This Due to the increase in Officers working with local teams have period has continued to be hare coursing reports the Hare coursers cause damage to land and property been able to find stolen vehicles, including busy for the Rural Task Force. Rural Task Force recently vans and farm equipment, in woodland Since the start of harvest as targeted the Wingham area. officers found two dogs and were searched under the and other less accessible terrain. expected there has been an The team located two Suzuki two dead hares, which were Poaching Prevention Act. It has also been used to track increased number of reports Jimnys driving around Palm both DNA swabbed before Officers found several dead nuisance riders and unlawful quad in relation to hare coursing. Tree Lane and Ratling, shining being seized. The vehicle was partridges, a large number bike activity. Rural Task Force Sergeant The team has planned days high powered torches across also forensically examined and of ball bearings, powerful Darren Walshaw said: ‘The use of of dedicated patrol already the fields. The vehicles made the investigation is continuing. torches and slingshots. drone technology is a great asset to booked into their duties. Our off pursued by the officers In another incident officers One man was reported the team in tackling various issues Rural Crime Co-Ordinator Doug but the offenders began were called to a report of for summons for poaching within the rural community. We have Robertson is working hard blinding them by shining their poaching in the Stalisfield offences. Officers have also not only been able to locate stolen Rural Task Force officers now have collating analytical data around high powered torches. The area. They traced a suspicious investigated incidents on the property and apprehend offenders. specialist binoculars and night vision vehicles and locations to occupants made off but in one Honda CRV to Lenham where Isle of Sheppey, Rochester, The aerial images produced have been cameras following a Heritage Watch grant support the team in their work. of the abandoned vehicles the the vehicle and five men Adisham and Maidstone. used to evidence the scale of damage from Historic . This equipment caused by vehicles driving on land.’ helps members of the team prevent With heritage crime frequently and investigate crime and anti-social Satellite navigation Can you help? linked to the investigation of offences behaviour around heritage sites such as thefts from tractors in the rural environment, specialist ‘nighthawking’ unlawful metal detecting. skills and equipment are invaluable It can also be used in the investigation – be alert The theft of unique historic artefacts of off-roading – the inappropriate use can be highly organised and executed, of 4 x 4 vehicles, motorcycles and BMX Farmers are being warned often at isolated sites or at night – both bikes, which can cause serious damage to be alert to tractors being inland and at sea to target wrecks. to important archaeological sites. targeted for thefts of satellite navigation equipment. The systems cost several ‘We have not only been able to locate stolen thousand pounds to buy for each tractor and there property and apprehend offenders. The aerial were recent reports of images produced have been used to evidence the them being stolen in the impact on their businesses. scale of damage caused by vehicles driving on land.’ Stansted, Sevenoaks and ‘We are asking anyone who may have seen anything Rural Task Force Sergeant Darren Walshaw Wrotham areas, with five Country Park gates stolen vehicles targeted between suspicious to call us. Motorists Distinctive metal gates stolen from the country park near the evening of Monday 7 who drive in these areas Faversham are still missing. September and the early are also asked to check They were removed overnight on the 14-15 July. Details hours of 8 September. any dash cams which may have been circulated through Heritage and Farm Watch Rural Task Force PC Dan hold important footage.’ and the rural community is asked to be on the lookout for Perry said: ‘These pieces Call Kent Police on 01622 them and report any information to the Rural Task Force. of equipment are essential 604100 quoting reference for farmers – losing them 08-0238 or contact Kent Do you have information about a crime? to thieves as well as losing Crimestoppers anonymously Calls to the independent charity Crimestoppers are the information they hold, on 0800 555 111, or by anonymous. You can call 0800 555 111 or use the can have a very detrimental using the online form. anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org

4 5 Latest news

News in brief Land Rovers targeted – keep vehicles secure Week of action targeting fly-tippers across Kent

Motorists are being advised Arrests were made and fines issued to to take measures to protect fly-tippers during a week of action targeting their vehicles after a spate of metal and waste crime countywide. Land Rover thefts from The Rural Task Force joined local outside homes. authorities from 12-16 October to identify Since the beginning of July people disposing of waste illegally. Protected birds killed at least 11 Land Rovers have They carried out targeted patrols and Trailer stolen last been reported stolen from stop checks and visited scrap metal dealers year returned areas including Tunbridge to ensure accurate records were kept. Rural Task Force officers are continuing A twin axle Ifor Williams Wells, Tonbridge, Sevenoaks Rural Task Force Sergeant Darren to receive reports of protected hawks Trailer has been recovered and and Maidstone. Walshaw said: ‘Fly-tipping is not just and other wild birds being shot and returned to its owner after In some cases vehicles fitted littering, it is organised criminality. The killed across the county. it was uncovered by Rural with keyless entry systems problem blights communities and some In one incident a woman in her Task Force officers partially have been targeted. waste, like asbestos, can pose a garden heard what appeared to be an hidden on a piece of waste Criminals using specialist tools significant health risk to the public. our partners and local people we can air gun and a peregrine falcon landed land. Enquiries made with Ifor are sometimes able to clone a ‘Everyone has a responsibility to tackle make a positive difference and protect dead on her drive. It had an injury Williams established it had fob’s signal and relay it to this issue and I would ask anyone having our countryside.’ consistent with an air weapon. been stolen from an owner another device, allowing them waste removed from their property to The Kent Resource Partnership (KRP) Despite three further shots being in Sussex in January 2019, to enter and start the vehicle. ensure those taking their rubbish are Chairman, Councillor Nick Kenton said: heard in the area of Pye Alley Lane in An investigation has led to licensed to do so. Many are unaware they ‘We will continue to work together to Whitstable officers were unable to find the arrests of four suspects Crime prevention advice may be fined if their rubbish is linked to combat this issue and encourage our who was responsible and compare the and four of the stolen vehicles • Consider investing in CCTV and sensors which alert owners their household, even if they have paid residents to report fly tipping to councils pellet to a weapon. have also been recovered. when someone walks near their vehicle or enters the driveway someone to dispose of it. By working with as soon as possible.’ It is the second peregrine falcon to Detective Constable Mark • Use a steering wheel lock be found shot in the county. Earlier this Beeching, of West Kent CID, year a similar falcon – the world’s • Lock all doors and close the windows whenever the vehicle is left • Thanet – two fines issued to people who failed to have waste carrier’s licences said: ‘Thieves are sometimes fastest bird – had to be put down after • Make sure car keys aren’t visible from outside the house ie and a vehicle was seized. also able to fool security through windows it was found injured in the Birling area, • Swale – Black BMW linked to fly-tipping in Maidstone seized in the Sittingbourne believed targeted with a shotgun. systems for keyless entry • Park in a garage, secure car park or well lit area if possible Owner gets missing vehicles. To prevent this we area and a £400 fine issued to the driver. Rural Sergeant Darren Walshaw said: • Consider having windows etched with the vehicle registration dump truck back would recommend owners • Maidstone – penalty notice issued after a driver stopped by officers in Detling ‘All our Rural Task Force team are fully number or use an invisible ink marker pen to mark these details This dump truck and trailer check if their entry fobs can was found to be transporting waste without a carrier’s licence. trained Wildlife Crime Officers. Falcons and owner’s postcode on the underside frame of the vehicle are protected and anyone killing then stolen from Dover between be turned off overnight and • Canterbury, Whitstable and Herne Bay – stop check resulted in a man being • Make a note of the chassis number is breaking the law.’ September 25-26 was found to also store them away from investigated for scrap metal offences and a man was dealt with by the local Other birds reported being found by a Rural Task Force officer any household entry points. authority after being stopped in Thannington transporting waste without a licence. hidden in woodland. Both ‘Drivers can also store their to prevent any unwanted ‘If you are unsure contact dead included seagulls, around 25 • Dover – four scrap metal dealerships visited. A Deal site issued with an have been recovered and fobs in special bags, which communication between the your vehicle manufacturer or crows and there have been reports of improvement notice. returned to the happy owner. can be bought from retailers, vehicle and its keys. local dealer for advice.’ cormorants being shot. In other incidents reported to police a teenaged boy was reported to be shooting wild birds while his father Farm Watch WhatsApp – sharing information to beat crime Farm Watch WhatsApp is a HMRC scam warning – 85 people targeted was at work. His father was spoken to tool to share information and the air weapon seized. directly with the Rural An elderly man was also asked to hand Online messaging system Farm Watch Task Force team and not A fraud where victims are led to believe scare tactics, like the threat of arrest, to over his air weapon after reports that WhatsApp is a countywide scheme for to be used to report crime. they could be arrested for owing a debt to rush people into making rash decisions seagulls and pigeons were being shot. fast time sharing of information between Any crimes should be Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs saw and parting with large sums of money.’ the Rural Task Force and the community. reported in the usual way; 85 reports to Kent Police in September. • Avoid engaging with suspect callers Buzzard found dead may It has proved successful in recovering 999 if a crime is in A woman in the Canterbury area lost – make a note of the numbers they are have flown into power line stolen property, vehicles and farm progress or 101 and online £4,000 after someone claiming to be using and report them to HMRC. machinery and helping police deal if non-urgent and from HMRC demanded immediate In another incident a dead buzzard • Stop and think before paying out any with crime as it is reported. Rural Task don’t forget the payment and threatened her with arrest. was found in a rural area just outside money or giving information, only a Force Sergeant Darren Walshaw said: Country Eye App. In the Dartford area a woman was told Sittingbourne in July – similar to one criminal will try to rush someone into ‘Farm Watch WhatsApp continues to she would be arrested if she didn’t pay found last year. After being x-rayed it payment – if in doubt challenge them. be a valuable asset with some great £6,000. The fraudsters made her was confirmed not shot but believed results with arrests and stolen property download an app to transfer the funds. • It’s fine to refuse, ignore and reject calls to have flown into a powerline. recovered. If anyone would like to Protect your farm equipment: Detective Sergeant Alec Wood of the – if you’ve given out financial details The landowner will be contacting join please email the team.’ rural. To protect and help trace stolen equipment record all serial numbers, take photos Volume Fraud Team said: ‘These fraudsters contact your bank immediately as they UKPN to arrange for line markers to be [email protected] and consider additional markings such as DNA solutions and tracker devices. All of prey on vulnerable individuals and use may be able to stop a transaction. installed to the lines. which will help police in recovering property should it be stolen.

6 7 Partnerships

Rural team working with partners to protect rural communities Countryside Code

Remember • Enjoy the countryside and respect its life Pleaseand work remember the country • Guard against all code:risk of fire • Enjoy the countryside and respect its life • Leave all gates as you and work found them • Guard against all risk of fire • Keep pets under close control • Leave all gates as you found them • Keep to public paths across farmland • Keep pets under close control • Use gates and stiles to cross • Keep to public paths across farmland fences, hedges and walls • Use gates and stiles to cross fences, • Leave livestock, crops and hedges and walls machinery alone • Leave livestock, crops and machinery alone

The team use their expertise to support Local Neighbourhood Policing Teams, PCSOs or core response officers. The team are all fully trained Wildlife Crime Officers.

Key partners working with Kent Police to keep rural communities safe

Crime Rural Advisory Group working in partnership with CRAG and CRAG formed in 2012, brings together other stake holder organisations. main rural stakeholders, including the web: www.nfuonline.com National Farmers Union and Country Land email: [email protected] & Business Association – representing phone: 01730 711950 a large percentage of land occupancy Kent Fire and Rescue Service countywide. They bring their own insights KFRS is responsible for delivering fire to CRAG to help keep Kent Police informed and rescue services to more than 1.7 on ever-changing issues in rural Kent. million people. Each year fire officers web: www.btfpartnership.co.uk deal with around 16,500 incidents email: [email protected] phone: Michael Bax 01233 740077 including road crashes, house and barn fires and more than 2,400 non- Kent Association of Local Councils fire rescues. KFRS works with the Kent KALC is a not for profit membership Police, NFU, and CRAG to provide safety organisation serving member parish and and risk reduction advice to support the town councils and parish meetings in Kent agricultural business community. and Medway. It offers training, advice web: www.kent.fire-uk.org and services to member councils. KLAC email: [email protected] works with rural officers to disseminate phone: 01622 692121 Country Land & Business Association information on their behalf, and to gather Historic England crime information from towns and parishes. The CLA is the membership organisation Historic England is a public body which for owners of land, property and web: www.kentalc.gov.uk looks after England’s historic environment. email: [email protected] businesses in rural England and Wales phone: 01304 820173 There are over 400,000 protected sites and and has been safeguarding the interests buildings in England and Historic England of landowners, and those with an National Farmers Union works across a range of partnership to economic, social and environmental The NFU champions British farming and prevent the loss and damage to our shared interest in rural land for more than 112 provides professional representation cultural heritage. Former Kent police officer years. The CLA South East Office works and services to its farmer and grower Mark Harrison advises the organisation and closely with the Kent Police to help members. Around 70 per cent of full time works closely with rural officers and CRAG. achieve these aims. farmers are NFU members. They aim web: www.historicengland.org.uk web: www.cla.org.uk to support Kent Police to engage with email: [email protected] email: [email protected] members’ extensive local knowledge, phone: 01483 252020 phone: 01264 313434