A NEW partnership to tackle rural crime in Wiltshire was launched last week.

Representatives from a number of organisations with a vested interest in tackling rural crime in the county have been brought together to form the Rural Crime Partnership for Wiltshire and Swindon.

The group, established by Wiltshire Police in consultation with the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Wiltshire and Swindon, Angus Macpherson, has held its first official meeting at Police Headquarters in Devizes.

The purpose of the partnership is to “consolidate local intelligence and make recommendations to chief officers and the PCC to inform decisions around preventing and combatting rural criminality”.

The partnership will encourage information sharing amongst partners and volunteers involved, including: Wiltshire Police, the Wiltshire Rural Crime Team, the National Farmers Union, the Country Landowners Association, the National Gamekeepers Organisation, the Ministry of Defence Salisbury Plain, the Angling Trust, Wiltshire Council, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, the Environment Agency, Wiltshire College and the office of the PCC.

Superintendent Phil Staynings said: “As head of crime prevention for Wiltshire Police it is really encouraging to see such a joined up approach to rural crime.

“This new partnership will help improve confidence for those living within rural communities in Wiltshire.

“They should feel empowered to report rural crime to Wiltshire Police and can be reassured that we will act on all information we receive.

“We are committed to reducing offending and re offending in relation to rural crime. This Strategy reflects our commitment to tackling rural crime.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson said he was “very encouraged” that organisations from across the county have joined together in partnership to focus on rural crime.

He continued: “Wiltshire is a rural county so it is important that the operational policing of the area is guided by the knowledge and advice of those organisations working within our communities.

“Rural crime can have a huge impact on local people and businesses, this partnership will build on the existing work in the community so together with partners, volunteers and the public we can reduce and prevent this sort of criminality.”