Kicking Rural Crime
Kicking Rural Crime at Kingston Maurward Conference
Operation Countryside’s inaugural Rural Crime Prevention Event proved to be an overall success with its audience, Dorset’s rural community and businesses, and its supporters Dorset Police and Dorset Fire & Rescue Service.
The event last Friday, sponsored by Crimestoppers and hosted by Kingston Maurward College, was initiated by Inspector Les Fry who had taken inspiration from a similar event in Gloucester last year.
Speakers covered criminal issues faced by rural businesses and preventative measures to deter thieves. They highlighted the cost of crime to businesses, both in terms of insurance, and the more immediate effect of securing sometimes costly alternatives if equipment has been stolen.
Over 180 attendees registered to see the day’s speakers, trade stands and demonstrations, which opened with an introduction by Richard Drax – MP for Dorset South.
Other speakers included High Sherriff of Dorset, Jeremy Pope, Mr Craig Baker – Area Manager for Dorset Fire & Rescue, and Vice President of the NFU, Adam Quinney.
It is hoped that due to the achievement of Operation Countryside, the conference at Kingston Maurward College will become an annual event, expanding on the success of this year.
Inspector Les Fry said: “I’m incredibly happy with the success of the event. It got to the people most likely to be affected, so I hope we have come some way towards helping potential victims of crime to safeguard their businesses for the future.
“Our message to rural businesses is ‘help us to help you: prevent criminals getting into your business; protect your assets being taken; and identify them so that they can be returned to you if they are stolen’.
For further information go to dorsetruralcrime.com
Photo (L-R): Ray Nottage (Chair Community Safety Partnership), Inspector Les Fry (Dorset Police), Robert Lasseter (Dorset NFU Chairman), Jeremy Pope (High Sheriff of Dorset), Craig Baker (Area Manager Dorset Fire & Rescue), Richard Drax (MP for Dorset South), Inspector Shawn Whitley (Dorset Police)
