“The number of Hunting Act offences has reduced during the
period 1 August 2014 to 26 January 2015 in the South Oxfordshire and Vale of
White Horse area.
Over these six months, there were 49 recorded incidents compared to 75 for the same period the previous year.
Over the six months, five offenders were charged (three under the Hunting Act and two under the Game Act – poaching), six people were cautioned and 27 are currently on police bail pending further enquiries.
Thames Valley Police seized a total of 16 vehicles, 30 mobile phones and 27 dogs from offenders over the six months, and made 55 arrests over the six month period compared to 29 for the whole of 2013.
Officers carried out 10 rural crime operations targeted to rural crime ‘hot spots’, and continue to carry out patrols in the areas. Farmers and residents help the Police to identify these hotspots by calling in any suspicious activity on their land.
Sgt Graham Pink, who is part of the rural crime team, said: “The rural crime team has worked hard over the last few months to build good links with the rural community. I feel that these figures show that this interaction has worked and we will continue to build on this good start.”
Andrew Forsyth, National Farmers Union Group Secretary for the Vale and Wallingford Branch said: “On behalf of the Farming and Rural Communities I would like to thank Thames Valley Police for all their good leadership, hard work and recent successes with the apprehension and prosecution of Hunting and Poaching Offenders, as demonstrated by their recent set of figures released as part of this article. “For too long, farmers and Landowners have had to put up with damage (to property, crops, livestock, fences, etc.), intimidation that often occurs in tandem with these offences as well as the costs associated with the damage.
“Thames Valley Police has demonstrated that, even in times of austerity, their Neighbourhood & Response Teams that work with communities they serve can deliver great results. This is a key area which must be commended. Please keep it up and thank you for your work to date; it is much appreciated by us all”.
LPA Commander for South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse, Supt Andy Boyd said: “We have been working closely with Landowners and Farmers to tackle rural crime. We have the ability to send text alert messages to rural communities as soon as incidents are reported which has helped with our success in locating and apprehending suspects”. “
Over these six months, there were 49 recorded incidents compared to 75 for the same period the previous year.
Over the six months, five offenders were charged (three under the Hunting Act and two under the Game Act – poaching), six people were cautioned and 27 are currently on police bail pending further enquiries.
Thames Valley Police seized a total of 16 vehicles, 30 mobile phones and 27 dogs from offenders over the six months, and made 55 arrests over the six month period compared to 29 for the whole of 2013.
Officers carried out 10 rural crime operations targeted to rural crime ‘hot spots’, and continue to carry out patrols in the areas. Farmers and residents help the Police to identify these hotspots by calling in any suspicious activity on their land.
Sgt Graham Pink, who is part of the rural crime team, said: “The rural crime team has worked hard over the last few months to build good links with the rural community. I feel that these figures show that this interaction has worked and we will continue to build on this good start.”
Andrew Forsyth, National Farmers Union Group Secretary for the Vale and Wallingford Branch said: “On behalf of the Farming and Rural Communities I would like to thank Thames Valley Police for all their good leadership, hard work and recent successes with the apprehension and prosecution of Hunting and Poaching Offenders, as demonstrated by their recent set of figures released as part of this article. “For too long, farmers and Landowners have had to put up with damage (to property, crops, livestock, fences, etc.), intimidation that often occurs in tandem with these offences as well as the costs associated with the damage.
“Thames Valley Police has demonstrated that, even in times of austerity, their Neighbourhood & Response Teams that work with communities they serve can deliver great results. This is a key area which must be commended. Please keep it up and thank you for your work to date; it is much appreciated by us all”.
LPA Commander for South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse, Supt Andy Boyd said: “We have been working closely with Landowners and Farmers to tackle rural crime. We have the ability to send text alert messages to rural communities as soon as incidents are reported which has helped with our success in locating and apprehending suspects”. “
