Rural crime team scoops national award

Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s Rural Crime Action Team (RCAT) has received an award for spearheading a national crackdown on thefts of GPS technology from farm machinery.

RCAT won Rural Initiative of the Year after joining forces with the National Rural Crime Unit (NRCU) in the summer for Operation Walrus, which targeted criminals stealing GPS guidance systems used by farmers across the country.

It was announced at the recent annual UK Wildlife & Rural Crime Conference, where key agencies and organisations gathered to hear the latest successes and challenges of combating wildlife and rural crime.

RCAT led Operation Walrus by providing a central point for rural crime teams to share information and intelligence and, so far, six men across the country have been arrested on suspicion of theft.

Sergeant Tom Nuttall, from RCAT, said: “This award just goes to show what achievements can be made when police rural crime teams are co-ordinated and share information. Our team has put processes in places to get the live-time information out to police forces that need it – and continually look at developing this information.

“Thanks also goes to the NRCU, which is also key to Operation Walrus having an ongoing positive effect. The NRCU has a wealth of knowledge and experience to help us tackle rural crime.”

There are many useful ways to protect your property, land, and livestock from rural crime.