A NEW rural crime intelligence campaign has been launched to toughen up the fight against livestock theft.

It is being run jointly by Avon and Somerset police with the independent charity Crimestoppers with the aim of encouraging people to provide information.

Inspector Jo Mines, who leads the rural crime team, said: “Livestock theft, and rural crime in general, affects the livelihoods of farmers, smallholders and rural businesses. 

“We are asking rural communities to help us by providing information and intelligence about suspected crime in their area.”

She said the police realised that not everyone is comfortable contacting them direct but people can instead get in touch with Crimestoppers if they have information that might help.

Gordon Chisholm, Crimestoppers South West regional manager, said: “Many people think that we are part of the police or a TV programme but we are neither. We are an independent charity, which allows anyone to pass on information about crime anonymously.”

He added: “Local people know how rural crime and livestock theft can impact on local farms but people can make a difference, as they often know who is committing crime in their area.”

Calls to Crimestoppers cannot be traced or recorded and callers are never asked for their name or where they live: “No-one will ever know where the information came from,” said Mr Chisolm.

He added that callers to Crimestoppers could qualify for a reward of up to £1,000 if the information provided leads to an arrest and charge.

Information about suspicious or potentially criminal behaviour can include details of:

l People or vehicles seen behaving suspiciously.

l Vehicles moving livestock at odd times of the day or night.

l Potentially stolen goods or animals being offered for sale either to the public or at markets.

l Sightings of stolen vehicles for which the police might put out an alert. 

“No matter how small or insignificant people may think information is, it may be a vital piece of a jigsaw that helps us fill in the gaps and either prevent a crime or bring offenders to justice,” said Ms Mines. 

Information can be passed on via the Avon and Somerset Police website, by phoning 101 for non-emergencies, calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or visiting its website. In an emergency in progress, dial 999.

People can also text the rural crime team on 81819 until the end of March when the number will change to 07492 888109.