Police launch rural week of action to keep countryside crime-free

Starting next Monday, the operation will concentrate on “disrupting” criminals operating in the area, say police.

It will also introduce crime reduction initiatives such as CESAR tagging and special security assessments for farms.

Sergeant Andy Paulden from Newport Pagnell police station, said: “The week of action is tailored towards meeting the needs of our rural community. The team will be involved in a number of different initiatives which have been selected to compliment our current local priorities, but which are also based on feedback from the public following previous operations of this type.”

Superintendent Richard James said: “There are very simple prevention measures that you can do yourself to help your home or business to become less of a target, and weeks such as this one in Milton Keynes are so useful to the police as they raise public awareness of tools and tricks that are available to them.

“Our top tip would be to fill out a Farm Security Assessment – which is available on the Thames Valley Country Watch website (opens new window).

“While it’s primarily at farms and rural businesses, people who live in a rural community will also find the assessment useful too.

“Signing up to Country Watch Alerts is also a good idea – the alerts system is used to inform of crime in your local area and to give advice and guidance to residents and businesses on how to prevent becoming a victim.”

Both the mayor of Milton Keynes, Councillor Keith McLean, and the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Anthony Stansfeld, will accompany Thames Valley Police patrols on certain days during the course of the week.

Mr Stansfeld said: “I am pleased to be out on patrol in Milton Keynes supporting a rural week of action.

“Rural crime is a serious crime in terms of financial loss, commercial loss and intimidation, and action weeks such as this are important in strengthening relationships with our rural communities to help us tackle it. They can improve the reporting of crime and provide individuals and businesses with practical ways they can help protect themselves and their property.”

Cllr McLean said: “It’s great to get out and about in the community with colleagues from TVP and see how we can work better with our rural residents. It’s not just the inner-city estates that require a police presence and support from time to time: we are all there to help each other.”

Follow the police officers’ activities on Twitter @tvp_mk