RURAL CRIME UPDATE TO COMMUNITY SAFETY PARTNERSHIPS

26^th February 2010

Just a brief update for you in respect of our series of rural crime, burglaries, thefts of motor vehicles and agricultural machinery, and thefts of heating oil in the Marlborough and Pewsey Community areas.

Inspector Noble, myself, and our Community Beat Managers remain committed to providing high visibility patrols at peak offence times across our community areas.  Tonight for instance we have an extra four of us working through to 4am, and this will continue for several days. We have been running this targeted patrol scheme for several weeks now.

We have noted a sharp decrease in the overall number of offences being reported and believe this to be directly attributable to our increased presence in rural areas, and our tactics of proactively searching for and stopping all load carrying vehicles travelling through our areas.

Our intention at the outset was to prevent and detect crime, and to interfere which the movements of travelling criminals, hopefully gaining valuable intelligence in the process.

On the night of the 23rd February a vehicle attempted to avoid Police Officers on the outskirts of Wootton Bassett, was abandoned, but following a search a male was subsequently arrested for going equipped to steal.  The intelligence relating to the vehicle came from a farm in our community area when the vehicle was seen in suspicious circumstances there.  The Farmer reported it, the intelligence was recorded immediately and led to this successful arrest.  A quad bike was also recovered nearby and although believed to be connected to the arrested male we are unable to substantiate that.

We have also identified a suspect for theft of heating oil and are actively gathering intelligence on that individual.

Information has been provided to us in respect of cross border criminals from Thames Valley.  We are aware of their vehicles and have added these to our list of patrol targets.

Whilst assuring you of the continued presence of Police patrols in your community areas it may be that you have noticed a slight reduction in the visibility of your Community Beat Manager.  This will be solely due to their efforts directed towards combating rural crime during the early hours of the morning.  At this time we are not sure how long we will have to continue with our high visibility rural patrols but you will still be able to contact your Beat Manager through the usual methods.

Thank you for your support.

Ben BRAINE

Police Sergeant 261

Marlborough/Pewsey Neighbourhood Policing Team

Tel:      0845 408 7000

Ext:      739815/747815

Email:  Ben.Braine@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk

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