In isolated parts of rural north Wales, far from urban CCTV and where neighbours can be miles away, people have very little protection from unwanted intruders intent on crime.
I think we - the Rural Crime Team - fulfil a very important role - crime here can have a devastating effect on people’s lives and livelihoods, so if we can work as closely as possible with people and show them that we care, and that we can make a difference, then it’s worthwhile.
I think it’s important for the team to have a visible profile, so that people know who we are and what we do. As well as getting out and about and meeting people as much as possible as part of our work, I think social media has a positive role to play.
On location with the Countryside Cops
I recently found out that my Twitter account, @NWPRuralCrime, is the most popular in terms of the numbers of followers for Britain’s specialist police officers - more than the entire West Midlands cannabis team, apparently. Not bad considering my first ever Tweet was “Happy New Year” at the start of 2014.
Since the team was launched around 18 months ago, farming and wildlife crime has been cut substantially in North Wales. We’ve deployed new policing techniques and I’m glad to say that other police forces have been contacting us on a regular basis to find out more about how we work.
One technique we use is predictive analysis. Data is collated and then sorted according to different parameters. This has thrown up some surprises: farm crime in North Wales is five times more likely on a Thursday than a Tuesday, for example. July is the worst month for farm thefts - perhaps this is because so many people are away at the Royal Welsh Show.
In the summer months there are more people in the region and there’s more wildlife about, so it stands to reason there will be more wildlife crime. It enables us to target resources.
One example is Operation Raptor, launched in the spring this year. It targets those who poison birds of prey - mostly it’s a case of raising awareness and the tactic is working: so far this year we haven’t had a single raptor death.
When we first started I think some farmers were initially suspicious - and I can understand that. It was a steep learning curve but I think people now know we are here to assist, and we have earned their trust.
Countryside Cops: Monday, June 22, BBC One Wales, 10.35pm
