Tri-County Summit Boosts Joint Effort to Tackle Rural Crime

Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson, has welcomed a renewed commitment to tackling rural crime following a tri‑county summit that brought together senior police leaders, MPs and representatives from rural organisations.

The meeting focused on the shared challenges facing rural communities across Wiltshire, Hampshire and Thames Valley, where organised criminal groups are increasingly exploiting county borders to carry out hare coursing, machinery theft and damage to farmland. All three forces agreed that a more coordinated approach is essential to protecting the countryside and those who live and work within it.

Mr Wilkinson said the discussion underscored the importance of close collaboration between neighbouring forces. Rural crime, he noted, is becoming more mobile and more sophisticated, and a joint response allows each force to make better use of its operational resources and intelligence:

“Rural crime does not recognise county boundaries, and neither should our policing response.

“By sharing intelligence, coordinating patrols and learning from each other’s successes, we can ensure that every officer and every deployment has the greatest possible impact. Working together makes us faster, smarter and far more effective at disrupting the criminal groups who target our countryside.”

The summit also highlighted innovative work already underway in neighbouring forces. Thames Valley Police shared details of their use of digital reporting tools and structured intelligence systems, which have helped them build a clearer picture of rural offending. Wiltshire will now explore how similar approaches could complement its own operations.

Wiltshire Police provided an update on local trends, noting a small reduction in agricultural theft and a rise in hare coursing reports, a change attributed to increased public reporting. Enforcement activity has also intensified, with more arrests, prosecutions and convictions for poaching and coursing offences.

The summit heard that plant and machinery theft is rising sharply at a national level, driven by organised groups targeting high‑value equipment. Although Wiltshire has not yet experienced the same escalation, the force is preparing for the possibility that the trend could spread. Strengthened intelligence sharing and cross‑border cooperation will be central to staying ahead of offenders.

Inspector Andy Lemon said: “In the past year, Wiltshire has seen a significant rise in hare coursing. Between September 2024 and August 2025, we received 240 reports — a 21.8% increase. We believe part of this rise reflects more people coming forward, and we need the public’s help to build an accurate picture of the scale of the problem.

“Rural crime has a profound impact on farmers, who are left to repair damaged gates, fences and farmland, and must also protect themselves from theft. In one recent incident, three cows were killed after escaping through a fence that had been damaged, subsequently wandering onto a road and being involved in a collision.

“We continue to work closely with neighbouring forces, as we know offenders travel to Wiltshire from across the country. We want to send a clear message that rural crime is taken extremely seriously, and incursions into our countryside will not be tolerated.

“We are asking residents to report suspicious activity as soon as they see it — online, by calling 101, or by dialling 999 in an emergency.

“The information you provide helps us build intelligence, target offenders and keep our countryside safe.”

The Police and Crime Commissioner stressed that the relationship between the police and rural communities remains fundamental to tackling these issues:

“Rural policing relies on trust and cooperation. Farmers, landowners and rural residents know their land intimately. They recognise when something is out of place.

When they report suspicious activity, even if it seems insignificant, it provides the police with vital information.

“I would urge rural communities to continue reporting what they see. Their vigilance genuinely makes a difference.”

Wiltshire Police will continue to work closely with farmers and rural organisations, including through NFU engagement events, reassurance visits and the deployment of the mobile police station in isolated areas. Joint operations such as Operation Ragwort, where Wiltshire Police works with colleagues across the south-west in Gloucestershire, Avon & Somerset, Dorset and Devon & Cornwall to target cross‑border offending, will remain a key part of the force’s strategy.

The summit concluded with a shared commitment from all three forces to deepen intelligence sharing, explore new technology and align operational priorities.

Mr Wilkinson described the meeting as constructive and forward‑looking, demonstrating the value of a united approach:

“We all want safer rural communities and fewer victims.

“By combining our strengths and working as one across county borders, we are far better placed to deliver exactly that.”