West Mercia PCC welcomes new funding to combat rural crime
£800,000 boost aims to protect countryside communities
Rural communities in West Mercia are set to benefit from a £800,000 funding boost aimed at tackling crime in the countryside.
Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion has welcomed the investment into the National Wildlife Crime Unit and the National Rural Crime Unit, which was announced by Policing Minister Sarah Jones at the National Rural Crime Network conference.
Deputy PCC Marc Bayliss, who attended the conference, is involved in the national effort to address serious organised rural crime.
The funding aims to strengthen collaboration among law enforcement, politicians, the farming community, and insurers.
With 8,451 farms, West Mercia's rural landscape is particularly vulnerable to crime.
John Campion is already taking local action, including funding five Rural and Business Crime Officers and investing in the police campaign We Don’t Buy Crime.
The PCC said: “Rural crime is a key commitment within my Safer Communities Plan, so I welcome this additional funding to support local efforts to prevent crime and bring offenders to justice but it’s just one part of the solution.
“Rural crime is complex, with our rural communities facing a number of crimes that can often be complex.
"That’s why I will continue to amplify their concerns and ensure everything possible is being done to provide them with the policing service they expect and deserve.”