Hertfordshire Police strengthen community ties with mini tractors and rural crime strategy

Made from recycled and donated parts, mini police tractors proved a big hit when officers from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Rural Operational Support Team (ROST) and Harpenden Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) attended the Herts County Show in Redbourn last weekend.

Agricultural machinery firm Ernest Doe donated a full-size tractor for the event, which officers decked out in Herts police livery using upcycled materials. Officers spoke to visitors about crime prevention, safety initiatives and the new rural crime strategy.

The Rural Strategy Plan sets out areas of focus for ROST and rural officers based within local policing areas, including fly-tipping, equine crime, poaching and hare coursing, farm machinery, plant and vehicle theft, fuel theft, livestock worrying and wildlife crime, as well identifying any vulnerabilities.

Throughout the year, officers will be attending events, reaching out to the community, sharing crime prevention advice, conducting operations and carrying out hotspot and intelligence-led patrols. They will also be working closely with partner agencies, neighbouring forces and rural teams across the country to share information, catch criminals and reduce offences.

“We spoke to hundreds of people across the weekend. Events like these are so important – they’re a great way for us to not only show a high visibility policing presence locally, but also to strengthen the relationships between the constabulary and our rural communities and talk to local residents about any concerns they may have.”

ROST Sergeant Alex Winning.

There’s a new section on the Herts police website dedicated to rural and wildlife crime, containing a wealth of advice and information around the different types of crimes, as well as guidance on how to prevent them.

Research shows that a lot of rural crime often goes unreported, so Hertfordshire Police has introduced a new, direct reporting system to make it easier for people to do so. The force need to know what crime is happening in rural areas so that it can allocate its resources in the most effective way.

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