The event, hosted by NFU Cymru Deputy President Abi Reader, included practical demonstrations and presentations from representatives of Gwent Police Rural Crime Team and NaVICS (National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service) as well as Wildlife and Rural Crime Coordinator Rob Taylor and the Wales lead of the Police Federation, Nicky Ryan. Amanda Blakeman, North Wales Police Chief Constable, also provided a video address, which set the scene for the day.
Students were introduced to the prevention tools and police tactics used to tackle rural crime, including livestock and machinery theft, sheep worrying, poaching, hare coursing, fly tipping and more.
Urban and rural crime
Abi Reader said: “Rural crime is something that we hear about all too often from our members across Wales. It continues to wreak havoc on our rural communities and working farms, and is a constant worry for our members, who predominantly live in isolated areas.
“I was pleased to welcome policing students to the farm to educate about the differences between urban and rural crime and how new technologies are helping to crack down on organised crime and opportunistic criminals.
“Urban and rural crime differs immensely, and it’s important that our future police officers are aware of the large array of crimes that take place in rural communities that cause anxiety and disruption to farmers.
Inspire future police officers
We welcomed @CMetPolCrim policing students to Deputy President @AbiReader's farm this week👮
— NFU Cymru 🚜 (@NFUCymru) March 29, 2023
We're pleased to have helped educate future police officers of the devastating impacts that rural crime has on farmers ⤵️@rural_wales @NaVCIS_UK @Tom_thebryn @PFEW_WelshLead pic.twitter.com/5i0fQwbynF
“We hope that this event will help inspire future police officers to get into rural crime teams across Wales.”
Cardiff Metropolitan University Lecturer in Professional Policing, Lewis Ambler, said: “The NFU Cymru organised event was a fantastic opportunity which allowed our students to get a real feel for the issues faced by our rural communities.
“The lecture theatre has its place, but it is the ‘out of the classroom’ experiences which often prove to not only be the most effective forms of learning, but also the most memorable. I very much look forward to future collaborations between NFU Cymru and Cardiff Met.”
NFU Cymru and Cardiff Metropolitan University hope to organise this event each year to ensure rural crime is understood by the next generation of police officers.