I had a meeting with West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner Tom Campion recently, where I pressed for more police resources to be directed to rural Shropshire to combat the growth in serious theft, damage and hare coursing.
This follows the announcement that West Mercia Police are going to employ 50 more constables but at the same time our PCSO’s will now only working from 8am to 8 pm. Leaving overnight cover reduced.
The strong impression I received from this meeting is that the Commissioner and the higher echelons of the West Mercia force are not taking rural crime seriously. One officer present actually told me ‘you don’t get much crime in rural areas’.
I stressed to him and his team the scale of the problems we are facing. Thefts are becoming increasingly sophisticated and large scale including the theft of large vehicles such as combine harvesters. It is not only restricted to farms but also isolated rural properties. In this area, for example, we have seen a spate of trailer thefts.
I am now asking everyone to report every rural crime to 101, no matter how large or small. The police hierarchy will then see that crime is here in the countryside is having a significant impact on our communities. We pay out taxes like everyone else and deserve to see our police adequately resourced.
Regards
Heather
Shropshire Councillor for Chirbury and Worthen
079806 35518 heather.kidd@shropshite.gov.uk also on Facebook