Cumbria Police Launch Dedicated Rural Crime Team to Safeguard Farming Communities
Cumbria Police has announced the launch of a specialized rural crime team, aiming to enhance the protection of farming communities in the county. The initiative coincides with Rural Crime Action Week, which takes place from September 18 to 24 across the country. The team will operate under Operation Lantern, the police force’s operation dedicated to combating rural crime in Cumbria.
Criminal activities in rural areas have a devastating impact on local communities, and Chief Constable Rob Carden emphasized the force’s determination to create a hostile environment for criminals. By establishing the dedicated rural crime team, the police will have more opportunities to target individuals who view Cumbria as an easy target for rural crime.
The team’s main priorities will include addressing burglary of rural businesses and farms, theft of farm machinery, environmental offenses such as waste, and livestock-related crimes. The creation of the team has been made possible by an increase in officer numbers through Operation Uplift and ongoing recruitment efforts by Cumbria Constabulary.
Chief Inspector Lee Skelton, the lead for rural crime, highlighted that the team will support the wider constabulary in their efforts to tackle this specific type of crime. The team will provide specialist advice to officers, establish strong connections within the community, and address the issues faced by rural communities in deterring criminals.
To maximize their effectiveness, the police are urging the local population to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities. Cumbria’s Deputy Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Mike Johnson, commended the launch of the rural crime team, stating that it came in response to requests from communities seeking increased support.
Additionally, the constabulary is actively undertaking dedicated training to ensure that individuals reporting crimes receive the appropriate response. The police have also created a dedicated Facebook page for updates from the rural crime team, fostering clear channels of communication with the public.
By establishing this specialized team, Cumbria Police aims to provide a better level of protection and support to farming communities, utilizing increased officer numbers and enhanced training to address the challenges posed by rural crime.
