Joint operation launched by police and council staff to crack down on rural crime across Harborough district

Farmers’ gates, hedgerows and fencing have been damaged amid growing worries about hare coursing gangs
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A joint operation has been launched by police and council staff to crack down on rural crime across Harborough district.

Police teamed up with council staff from Market Harborough and Wigston to carry out the exercise on Friday (February 12) as they targeted the Neighbourhood Policing Area’s more remote patches.

Eight officers used marked police vehicles, as well as two hired 4x4s, as they patrolled off road in wet and muddy conditions.

A joint operation has been launched by police and council staff to crack down on rural crime across Harborough district.A joint operation has been launched by police and council staff to crack down on rural crime across Harborough district.
A joint operation has been launched by police and council staff to crack down on rural crime across Harborough district.

They launched Operation Arable to tackle “ongoing issues” around Cold Newton, Lowesby, Hungarton and Keyham.

Farmers’ gates, hedgerows and fencing have been damaged amid growing worries about hare coursing gangs.

Police are also determined to clamp down aggressive behaviour as trespassers are challenged by farmers and landowners.

Harborough District Council’s Environmental Crime Team joined the officers on patrol following a rise in incidents of fly-tipping and they discovered a recent fly tip.

“Enquiries are now ongoing to find those responsible using evidence recovered from the rubbish.

“Throughout the day, stop checks on vehicles were carried out.

“Hotspot locations and victims were visited and isolated areas were patrolled,” said Leicestershire Police.

“One vehicle was recovered due to document offences and one drug seizure occurred.

“Intelligence was shared between the council and policing teams which will help identify offenders and prevent future offences.

“This was one of a number of similar operations which are planned in the coming months.”

PC Steve Winn, who helped to organise the joint venture, said: “We received some really positive feedback from local people in the villages where we patrolled who were really pleased to see us.

“We want to reassure people who live and work in the countryside that we are putting a larger than normal policing presence into these areas using marked and unmarked cars and plan to do so again in the near future.

“This should also act as a deterrent to people travelling to the area to commit crime.”

Cllr Jonathan Bateman, Harborough District Council’s Cabinet lead for environmental services, said: “This is positive joint working to target areas where there have been reports of issues and we will continue to take a proactive approach across the district, with Police, to identify offenders.”

If you want to find out more about policing in your area sign up to the police’s community messaging system Neighbourhood Link.

There your views can influence how neighbourhood teams address policing priorities in your area and you will receive crime prevention information, help and support from your local officers.

Visit here to discover more: https://www.neighbourhoodlink.co.uk/