Police call handlers to get rural crime training

Police call handlers will get training to help them understand rural crime better.

West Mercia Police has taken the decision after some farmers said their concerns were "not fully recognised or understood by those they spoke to when reporting incidents".

The National Farmers Union (NFU) offered to help with the training.

Its county advisor for Worcestershire, Emma Hamer said it was "an important step which will help to ensure when crimes are reported the impact is understood".

The Police and Crime Commissioner, for the area, John Campion, said farmer's views had been a "recurring theme" at his community engagement sessions.

He said they had complained "their concerns were not fully recognised or understood by those they spoke to when reporting incidents".

The first training session is due to take place on Thursday, giving call handlers a "deeper understanding of rural crime terminology, common offences, and the specific challenges faced by the farming community".

Ch Supt Nigel Webster, said the training would help call handlers "better understand the challenges the farming community faces to help us deliver a better service to those who live and work in these areas".

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