Cumbria Police is marking national Rural Crime Week of Action by recognising the vital work carried out every day by our Rural Crime Team to protect communities, tackle crime and support those living and working in rural areas across the county.
Throughout August, Cumbria Police's Rural Crime Team continued to tackle rural offending and support communities across the county. Officers worked alongside CID, Operational Support and divisional colleagues on a crime series in the Dent and Sedbergh areas, resulting in one man being arrested and charged.
The team also supported proactive patrols in Eden, helping to arrest four individuals linked to travelling acquisitive crime, while joint work with neighbouring forces led to the recovery of stolen machinery.
Officers also delivered specialist rural crime and wildlife crime training to student officers and welcomed progress in a major investigation led by Cheshire Police, which has resulted in charges being secured against 20 individuals linked to the theft of £1 million worth of plant machinery, including offences committed in Cumbria.
As part of National Rural Crime Week, Cumbria Police's Rural Crime Team will be engaging with communities across the county through a range of activities aimed at preventing crime and raising awareness.
Officers will be attending the Westmorland Show on 9 and 10 September alongside the Firearms Licensing Team, offering crime prevention advice and discussing issues affecting rural communities.
The team will also be present at the Frame and Swift Open Day in Penrith on 13 September, supported by Cumbria Police mounted volunteers.
Throughout the week officers will be delivering bespoke rural crime training to student officers, helping to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to tackle crime in rural areas.
Rural Crime Sergeant, Amanda McKirdy said: "Cumbria's rural communities are unique, and policing them requires strong relationships, local knowledge and trust. National Rural Crime Week provides an opportunity to highlight the work our officers carry out throughout the year to protect Cumbria's rural communities and tackle the issues that matter most to those who live and work in them.
"Whether it's at agricultural shows, community events or through our day-to-day patrols, we're committed to being visible and accessible.
"We would encourage anyone with concerns about crime in their area, or who has information about suspicious activity, to speak with us.
“Recent investigations have been hugely assisted by intelligence from local communities, and even information that may seem insignificant can help us build a bigger picture and support ongoing investigations."
Cumbria’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, David Allen, said: “Cumbria is one of the most rural counties in the country, so it is only right that our Police put additional effort into ensuring that our more isolated communities are safe.
“Our Rural Crime Team works hard year-round to keep us safe and I am pleased to see them being recognised during Rural Crime Week of Action.
“I’d urge the public to continue to report to the Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. You know your community better than anyone so if you think something is suspicious, chances are you are right.
“Please don’t put something on social media and assume that the police have or will see it and act, they do not routinely monitor the hundreds of local social media pages and so any such report may be missed.
“Reporting helps build evidence and provides the police with the intelligence to place resources where they are most needed.
“Help us protect our rural communities.”