Police launch DVD on preventing rural crime

Five police forces, including Sussex, and their partners have worked together to create ‘Shutting the Gate on Rural Crime’.

This 16 minute film, aimed at farmers and rural business people, features National Farming Union president Peter Kendall, who is a Bedfordshire farmer and has been a victim of this type of crime.

He features in the opening sequence of the DVD, which has been produced by the police forces of Sussex, Hampshire, Kent, Surrey and Thames Valley, and urges the farming community to take greater precautions to protect their businesses.

NFU South East regional director William White says: “The five police forces have demonstrated enormous commitment to tackling rural crime and reaching rural businesses.

“We will be ensuring that NFU members in the five force areas can watch this film.

“They must then take vital steps to protect their property effectively and to engage positively with police in the fight against crime.”

The DVD features sections on:

* Estate security

* Equipment security

* Counter terrorism

* Wildlife crime

* Animal crime

* Heritage crime

‘Shutting The Gate on Rural Crime’ provides rural businesses with local police contacts and details of the Farm Watch scheme.

Sussex Police Chief Inspector Julia Pope said: “I know from my experience as a police officer that the Farm Watch scheme has really helped to deter crime with everyone working together to protect their property and reporting suspicious incidents to the police.

“This DVD will help us spread that awareness message further.”

The release of this film coincides with the launch of a demonstration tractor with all the latest security features in the Thames Valley Police area.

“The tractor, a John Deere model, will be available to forces nationwide.

“It has been supported by rural insurer NFU Mutual and farm machinery dealership Farol.

The launch of ‘Shutting The Gate on Rural Crime’ takes place on April 13 Denbies Wine Estate, London Road, Dorking, RH5 6AA, 90am for a 9.30am start.

If you are part of the rural community and would like a copy of the DVD and cannot make it to the event, contact Sussex Police Community Safety and Crime Reduction Advisor, Trevor Cox by emailing [email protected]. Neighbourhood Policing Teams will also be getting a copy and will be showing these at local meetings.

Anyone who would like to attend the event, contact NFU South East PR Officer Isobel Bretherton on 01730 711956.