Gloucestershire Police, Rural Crime Awareness Day, Cotswold Machinery, Jan 2018

Published 22nd January 2018 | By Helen Kendall Smith

It was with sadness we learnt of the inhumane killing of pregnant and new born Alpaca this week by human hand. One wonders what kind of mentality the person (s) who did it has. However, it is a well known national fact that at a different level – Rural Crime is on the increase.

Congratulations, thank you and well done to our Gloucestershire Police who had long ago teamed up with Countryside Groups and organised a Rural Crime Awareness Day for Gloucestershire area. Kensmyth, supporting their Force and keeping abreast of what is going on in the Countryside as well as innovative security ideas, attended. It was by invitation only to Gloucestershire Farmers and those living in Rural areas; as well as those involved (as we are) in Neighbourhood watch schemes helping others.

It was a challenging drive in the Snow to the location but my 22 year old 4 x 4 found her way through for me! It was extremely busy and with our Alpaca tucked up in Barns for what I think was the worst Sunday weather I have seen for ages, I popped out to bring myself up to speed on the “latest” in our County. I did not stay long but spoke to each stall holder individually and caught up with many Farming friends too – here is what was on offer:

Rural crime awareness day, order of speakers.

09:40 Police Inspector for the Cotswolds, Karen Ellis.

09:50 PC Ashley Weller, Rural, Environmental and Wildlife Crime Officer.

10:00 Roshan Patel, Community Alert. A new police information sharing platform.

10:10 National Farmers Union.

10:30 British Deer Society, H.A.D, Humane Animal Dispatch and Firearms licensing.

10:50 NGO, National Game Keepers organisation.

11:10 Jackson’s Fencing, specialists in farm barriers and gates.

11:20 Lighthouse Security. Security products for remote locations, farm buildings and the use of drones.

11:35 Datatag, Cesar, agricultural machinery security specialist.

12:00 Cantrack, machinery and vehicle tracking.

12:20 Environment Agency. Fish poaching.