Rural Crime Concerns Addressed in Hampshire Meeting

Farmers and gamekeepers from the Southwick Estate in Hampshire, along with the local police, gathered to discuss concerns surrounding poaching, road-related anti-social behavior, and other issues affecting countryside communities. The meeting, attended by Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones, marked an ongoing effort to address rural crime through initiatives such as the Country Watch Rural Crime Task Force.

Key Takeaways:

• The Rural Crime Task Force has successfully seized over £150,000 worth of stolen property or property involved in crime since its launch.
• The task force has adopted an intelligence-led, proactive approach to tackling rural crime, with a focus on building a profile of activity through reporting of even smaller incidents.
• The expansion of the dedicated rural police unit will aid in tracking and catching offenders in the Hampshire and Isle of Wight countryside.
• Poaching, fly-tipping, and speeding motorbikes were identified as key issues affecting rural communities, with concerns raised about the impact of these crimes on local residents and farmers.
• The police have encouraged the public to report all crimes, highlighting the importance of community engagement in addressing rural crime.
• Mark Thistlethwayte, owner of the Southwick Estate, expressed concerns about the early start to this year's poaching season, which could result in a record number of poaching incidents.
• Commissioner Jones has made rural crime a top priority and is investing millions of pounds to tackle the issue.

Statistics:

• £150,000: the value of property seized by the Rural Crime Task Force since its launch.
• Millions: the amount Commissioner Jones is investing to tackle rural crime issues.

Sources:

• Office of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner
• [No other sources mentioned in the original text]