Rural Matters Rural policing in Kent – 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 Kent Police 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 Canterbury 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 Folkestone 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 England. 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.