The first ever made-in-Wales strategy to tackle wildlife and rural crime is to be launched at the Royal Welsh Showground today (Thursday, April 27).
The joint strategy, between the Welsh government and Wales‘ four police forces, aims to be a key part of the fight against rural thefts, livestock offences and the destruction of wildlife and their habitats.
The objectives of the strategy include:
- Working in partnership to reduce crime and protect rural communities and wildlife;
- Develop effective networks to share ideas, best practice, and resources;
- Improve the knowledge and skills needed to support victims affected by crime in rural areas especially those most vulnerable;
- Provide training and opportunities to develop skills in a broad range of wildlife and rural crime issues, maximising use of partner agencies;
- Improve data collection and information sharing among partners and enforcement agencies;
- Use technology and innovation to protect rural communities and wildlife.
The strategy aims to be tailored to Wales’ needs and will therefore be delivered through six priority groups – bird crime; farm crime; habitats; mammals and European protected species; Welsh police rural supervisors; and mental health and domestic abuse.
Wales’ rural and wildlife crime coordinator, Rob Taylor, said rural and wildlife crime can have a “devastating impact” on rural communities, farmers and wildlife.
“The strategy has clear aims including supporting mental health in our rural communities and addressing domestic abuse,” Taylor said.
“We will follow the 4P plan to achieve success – prepare, prevent, pursue and protect.
“This means preparing for when such crimes might occur, preventing and deterring people from engaging in these offences, relentlessly pursue offenders and protect rural communities and wildlife from the impact of crime.”
Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths said the launch of the strategy is a “big step forward” in the fight against rural and wildlife crime in Wales.
“A key theme of this is partnership working and only by working together towards our common goal can we succeed,” she said.
“The strategy sets out a clear vision for Wales which is tailored to our country’s needs and with the rural and wildlife crime coordinator as a central point I’m confident it will have a positive impact on our rural communities.”
