PCC’s call to crack down on organised crime gangs during national rural crime week

The Police and Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones, has reiterated her promise to clamp down on organised crime gangs operating across rural communities in Hampshire and on the Isle of Wight.

The pledge comes during National Rural Crime Action Week. The campaign running from 21-25 October 2024 highlights the importance of local authorities, the police and rural communities to work in partnership to combat rural crime.

PCC Donna Jones said: “There is an immediate and growing threat from organised crime gangs. These groups are not opportunistic thieves. They perform meticulous supply and demand operations, stealing items to order such as quad bikes or plant machinery and shipping them overseas. These criminals are serious, organised, and international.”

Black market gambling, hare coursing, poaching, fly-tipping, and the theft of livestock and agricultural machinery are also having a devastating impact on farmers and landowners. According to the National Farmers’ Union, rural crime cost the UK £52.8M in 2023 up 4.3% on the previous year. It includes a rapid 137% rise in GPS thefts.

The Police and Crime Commissioner’s commitment to tackling rural crime includes a £1M investment in boosting intelligence capability, area cars in rural areas, and named Local Bobbies for every rural community.

PCC Donna Jones said: “I’ve also invested in the most effective technology available to police forces across England and Wales with cutting-edge drones to track offenders, and mobile Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras that the police can move around in rural areas.

“This means Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary can provide an agile and robust response covering thousands of square miles and can monitor cross border activity to stay one step ahead of the gangs.”

The Police and Crime Commissioner’s new police and crime plan will focus on further protecting rural communities with a commitment to increase the number of police officers in rural areas.

PCC Donna Jones added: As Commissioner, I am committed to supporting rural communities to feel safer, be safer, and be more connected to their police force.”