Catapults and salmon poaching concern at rural forum

The Rural Engagement Forum, organised by the police and crime commissioner (PCC) Donna Jones, gathered police leaders, farmers and landowners.

The forum attendees discussed the Local Bobby scheme, which was introduced by the PCC in January 2024 and is being expanded with 15 more officers, with 80 per cent of these officers being placed in rural areas.

The PCC pledged to push for stricter legislation and a review of sentencing guidelines regarding criminal activity involving catapults.

The risk from poaching to Hampshire’s salmon stock was also brought to attention as a serious concern.

ACC Tara McGovern, PCC Donna Jones and Chief Constable Alexis Boon. (Image: Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner)

PCC Jones said: "Businesses across our rural communities continue to suffer at the hands of criminals and organised crime gangs.

"Farmers and landowners are having plant machinery stolen, they are suffering thousands upon thousands of pounds worth of damage from criminal damage, fields being churned up through hare coursing.

"What we are hearing from experts who work and live in these rural communities every single day, is the help they need from the police, and the threats that these rural areas face.

"The police can take that information and formulate an appropriate response, as police and crime commissioner I am funding that, and that’s why these Rural Engagement Forums are so important."

The forum also revealed 197 reports of fish poaching across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in the 12 months to the end of September, marking an 85.8 per cent increase from the previous year.

In the past three months, there have been 64 incidents, raising concerns about the potential long-term damage to fish stocks.

Waste crime was also a significant concern on the agenda.

The Rural Engagement Forum, in the Orangery at Broadlands, Romsey. (Image: Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner)

There will be further lobbying from regional police and crime commissioners, including Ms Jones, via the South East Regional Organised Waste Crime Board, to tackle the fly-tipping and waste crime problem.

Chief Constable Alexis Boon said: "Hearing from the group today, it is clear we need to continue to build strong partnerships with rural communities so that we can work together to combat crime."

Countess Mountbatten of Burma hosted the event, which was attended by senior police officers, as well as representatives from the Countryside Business Landowners Association and the National Farmers Union.

Assistant Chief Constable Tara McGovern force lead for local policing, gave more information about the regional collaboration in rural work with forces in Thames Valley, Wiltshire, Dorset, Sussex and Surrey, and their shared vision in combating rural crimes, particularly those crossing county borders.