Specials Rural Policing Team – Essex

Essex Police recognises that with fewer neighbourhood PC’s in rural areas with the current round of budget cuts that there is a perceived lack of engagement and high visibility policing to the rural community which has led to a lack of confidence, this initiative is aimed to try and support Essex Police with providing a dedicated service to the rural community it serves whilst looking at retention and deployment of the special constabulary.

Author
Sp. Inspector Pipe 72934
Contact by Email: Steven.pipe@essex.pnn.police.uk
Location
Essex, England
Crime Type
Cross border, Farming, Improved Reporting, Volunteers, Wildlife Crime
The problem
Multiple crime trends including equine, heritage and rural crime such as high value theft of plant and fuel, criminal damage, anti-social behaviour along with assaults and threats associated with hare coursing. Lack of confidence from the rural community and a under reporting of crime in rural locations.

Summary

Essex Police recognises that with fewer neighbourhood PC’s in rural areas with the current round of budget cuts that there is a perceived lack of engagement and high visibility policing to the rural community which has led to a lack of confidence. This initiative is aimed to try and support Essex Police with providing a dedicated service to the rural community it serves whilst looking at retention and deployment of the special constabulary.

Identifying the problem

  • Multiple crime trends including equine, heritage and rural crime such as high value theft of plant and fuel, criminal damage, anti-social behaviour along with assaults and threats associated with hare coursing.
  • Lack of confidence from the rural community and a under reporting of crime in rural locations.

Consequences

  • The rural community needed a specialist response to issues they were facing, along with understanding of their specific issues.
  • A specialist response would allow much better intelligence lead approach and also address typical under-reporting of crime.

Legislation changes - Existing

  • We used existing legislation, but with a partnership approach – such as local rangers and local councils with additional powers to support the role.
  • The team work alongside our Local Policing Support Unit officers and the Essex Community Traveller Unit to enforce current legislation.

Legislation changes - New

  • We have developed working relationships with some of our CESAS Accredited rural companies.
  • To support bordering forces we are actively engaged in cross border meetings when they take place to develop better working relations and increase information sharing.
  • Training provided for the Team by PC Andy Long on Wildlife Crime legislation and the use of police powers

Actions

  • A proactive team of 14 Special Constables led by a S/Insp and 2 S/Sgts and with 11 SC’s established to tackle issues taking a dynamic approach to locations relating to demand.
  • The team have been split into two bases – Chelmsford to cover South and West of Essex and – Copford concentrating on the North of Essex, undertaking specialist training and having the availability of dedicated vehicles to allow them to patrol.
  • Officers are supported by Crime Prevention Tactical Advisors and Essex Watch Liaison Officers to role out initiatives and best working practice.
  • The team are tasked weekly by the Local Policing Support Unit and deployed on an intelligence-led basis, providing high-visibility policing along with covert work to discourage crime along with bring those accountable to justice.
  • The team works closely with the Police & Crime Commissioner’s rural crime forum which includes members of the farm watch scheme and Neighbourhood Watch.

What worked

  • Being present and visible for members of the rural community has had a big impact, we have developed better engagement opportunities forging those relationships which enable the two-way flow of intelligence, improved reporting of crime and suspicious activity.

What didn't work

The unit is serviced solely by Special Constabulary volunteers; this restricts the amount of time the team can patrol and with increased demands from the expanding geographical coverage we are unable to offer 24/7 coverage.

Outcomes

  • Two bases for the Team has spread the availability of the Team across Essex and has increased the availability of suitable vehicles.
  • The team have an increased working relationship with the rural community and we are currently looking to expand the team by recruiting directly from the rural community.
  • The introduction of Rural Crime Days of Action, where the team supported by Local Policing Support Unit target Rural related crime.

Lessons learnt

  • The tasking process had originally caused delays in the teams deployment and didn’t cover the full force. Changes have been introduced to rectify these problems.
  • With the support of transport services and partnership with local policing teams we have changed the vehicles originally activated to further support rural policing.
  • We are working on ways to develop our engagement with local businesses and organisations to better support the rural community.

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