Operation undertaken to tackle Bishop's Castle rural crime

Powys County Times

4 days ago

An operation to tackle rural crime in the Bishop's Castle area was undertaken by Police.
Officers from West Mercia Police undertook a number of security operations as part of 'Operation Whitebeam' to help farms in the south of Shropshire.
Bishop's Castle and Clun Police confirmed the operation took place on Tuesday evening (July 15) and looked at targeting people who may be the victim of rural acquisitive crime.
Operation Whitebeam, which has been running since 2020, sees safer neighbourhood teams carry out high visibility patrols across towns, including 52 surrounding parishes of concern.
The operation on Tuesday was carried out during the late evening and into the early hours of the morning, "which is when criminals are more likely to target rural areas".
Officers also visited farms, where they gave out 'assets to assist with crime prevention', as well as offering advice to farmers and business owners.
The team also visited fire stations as part of the operation to speak to fire officers about recent break-ins at stations across the county, where equipment had been taken.
A number of vehicle checks were also carried out, which led to one vehicle being seized for having no insurance and 13 farms were visited, where officers spoke to farmers and handed out tracking devices to some, which can be placed on vehicles.
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Inspector Damien Kelly, from South Shropshire's Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: 'We started Operation Whitebeam back in 2020 to tackle rural crime in the south of the county, and also offer farmers that visible police presence, which we also know can deter criminals.
'Over the past five years these high visibility and plain vehicle patrols have allowed us speak to the public about the operation, and how we as a force are tackling rural crime especially with the longer days now upon us.
'A number of local farmers and business owners were also spoken to, and crime prevention advice was shared and positively received. We remain committed to keeping our communities safe and we want them know that these initiatives are helping achieve this.'