THE OFFICE of the Police and Crime Commissioner has announced that its rural crime taskforce is set to expande to nearly twice its current size.
Thames Valley Police’s Rural Crime Taskforce is a dedicated team of officers who work with partners and the community to tackle serious, organised rural crime.
It is made up of 10 officers, two sergeants, and an inspector, and has seized more than £5m of property since it launched in 2022, including vehicles, drugs, and plant machinery, from hundreds of investigations.
Now the Police and Crime Commissioner in Thames Valley, Matthew Barber, has announced that the force is set to expand.
A funding boost in the 2024/2025 budget will mean that the force is due to nearly double with the recruitment of 10 more officers.
Mr Barber said: “I am pleased to see the impact that the taskforce is already having. It demonstrates the importance of a dedicated, visible and robust policing response in tackling rural crime which I can see is making a real difference to the safety and security of farms, rural industries and our most isolated communities.
“The vast geography of the Thames Valley and high proportion of rural areas will always be a challenge to delivering visible policing, but this additional investment will support the taskforce in strengthening its response in detecting and stopping criminal activity and organised crime groups operating in our rural communities.”
Rural Crime Taskforce lead Inspector Stuart Hutchings said: “We have been working extremely hard since the taskforce’s inception over two years ago to make the Thames Valley a hostile environment for rural criminals.
“The additional officers funded by the PCC will only help us to increase this work and support victims even more effectively.”
Nathan Boyd, NFU Berks, Bucks and Oxon County Adviser, said: “Farmers and rural communities alike will be pleased to see further investment in the rural crime taskforce.
“In the last two years, farmers have seen the benefit of having a dedicated, specialist unit which has made a real difference to communities that often felt forgotten.
“This investment in the taskforce sends a clear message that tackling rural crime is a priority across the Thames Valley.”
