Thames Valley’s award winning Rural Crime Task Force welcomes NFU Vice-President

Farmers are under huge pressure. A challenging market place, new burdens from Government and the threat from rural crime. That’s why the relationship between rural communities and Thames Valley Police is so important, making it clear that we’re on the side of farmers who are feeding the nation.

This week I welcomed National Farmers Union (NFU) Vice President, Rachel Hallos, to Oxfordshire to explain the work that is being done by our award winning team.

Thames Valley’s Rural Crime Task Force, one of the biggest in the country, has recently been recognised as the BEST team in the country at tackling organised crime gangs who prey on our farming community. Over recent years they have received £8m worth of stolen equipment and machinery, and rural crime is now falling.

Key to this success is the close working relations with organisations such as the NFU. We've provided the team with more resources and more equipment so that the can take the fight to the criminals. But rural crime doesn’t just affect the farming community. Many of the criminals responsible for the theft of farming equipment are also involved with the theft of vehicles and burglaries in our more urban areas. That’s why the team will regularly be seen across Thames Valley ensure that nowhere is safe for criminals to hide.