How to Tackle Rural Crime in the South West

Today on the show we look at rural crime across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset. Host Peter Green is joined by rural crime researcher Dr Kate Tudor, PCSO Michael Storey from the Rural Affairs Unit at Avon and Somerset Police and Sergeant Natalie Skinner from Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team to discuss how farmers and rural communities can make their businesses and communities more resilient by preventing and reducing the likelihood of being victims of rural crime in the first place. 

Throughout this series we are focusing on the topic of resilience. 

Farming Focus is the podcast for farmers in the South West of England, but is relevant for farmers outside of the region or indeed anyone in the wider industry or who has an interest in food and farming. 

For more information on Cornish Mutual visit cornishmutual.co.uk

For our podcast disclaimer click here. 

Timestamps

00:01 Cornish Mutual jingle. 

00:14 Peter Green introduces today's show.

01:20 PCSO Mike Storey gives an overview of rural crime across the south west. 

02:46 Prevention is better than cure.

03:10 Dr Kate Tudor explains the potential rise in rural crime. 

04:27 Natalie Skinner explains there has been a reduction in rural crime of 28% in Dorset this last year.

05:20 What does Natalie attribute this to? Natalie explains there are quite a few crime prevention activities taking place.

06:55 Dr Kate Tudor explains what farmers can do to help prevent rural crime.

08:46 How are forces working across county borders?

10:45 Mike explains the watch schemes. 

12:39 A farmer sprays his fencing unit pink. 

13:26 Dr Kate Tudor explains the impact on victims of rural crime. 

15:10 Natalie explains her personal experience of how victims feel.

16:58 Dr Kate Tudor talks about social media and offenders use it. 

17:58 Criminals' approach and how they use farming magazine and technology, including drones. 

19:12 Equipment Theft Prevention Bill

21:00 Mike talks about follow up work. Lots of people just walk on farm now. 

22:03 What does Natalie see in Dorset?

22:37 Mike talks about a story of a victim who had pockets of scrap metal around his farm. 

23:34 Does rural crime make business sense?

25:30 How do criminals move stolen goods? 

26:28 Resilience and what it means - Kate

28:00 Resilience for Mike.

29:03 Resilience for Natalie. 

30:05 Peter sums up the episode with the showstoppers. 

31:35 Cream teas...cream first or jam first?

32:22 Peter rounds up.