Annual stats show impact of rural crime team

Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s Rural Crime Action Team (RCAT) recovered just under one million pounds worth of suspected stolen property last year.

The team, which deals with agricultural, environmental, heritage, hunting, and wildlife crime, also seized 163 vehicles used in crime, attended more than 1,700 incidents and prosecuted 83 suspects, between April last year and March. 

The 11-strong HQ-based team works closely with partners, including the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit, Environment Agency and the new National Rural Crime Unit.

Across the county, business burglaries with an agricultural and heritage element fell by 33 per cent while coursing, lamping, and poaching continues to be low across the county.  

Sergeant Tom Nuttall, who leads the RCAT, said: “As a small team, we definitely punch above our weight when tackling rural crime and many thanks to Cambridgeshire Countryside Watch, who support us.

“Over the next 12 months, we will be looking to use technology even more to prevent crime and help prosecute criminals.

“We will also be engaging, supporting, and working with our rural communities to help prevent crime and anti-social behaviour.

“My ask of members of the public over the next year is to continue to report rural crime and anti-social behaviour. To help, we have launched a dedicated online page to report agricultural, environmental, heritage, hunting, and wildlife crime.”

The dedicated online reporting pages for rural crime and wildlife crime can be found on the force website. 

You can follow what the team get up to, get safety and crime prevention advice, and see future events on RCAT's dedicated X [formerly Twitter] page.