Earlier this week, I met with Dorset farmers and the National Farmers Union (NFU) to discuss rural crime and what is being done locally to tackle it.
The NFU has 950 farms in Dorset signed up as members, and it is of vital importance that the concerns of our farming communities are listened to, and that people feel heard. There is much more to rural crime than many people think; it can range from a dog chasing cattle to expensive tractors being stolen and shipped abroad, to poaching and hare coursing and much, much more. Alongside the financial cost of these crimes, I know each incident also has a profound emotional impact on victims and communities and I am determined to see that harm continues to reduce as Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team builds on the positive results they have already delivered.
At the event this week, I heard from a farmer who was the victim of criminal damage, after an individual created crop circles on their field. Wrongly considered by perpetrators as a form of ‘art’, the farmer lost £120 per square metre of damage, impacting their income and taking local produce out of the food chain.
Incidents like these were a strong motivating factor when I stood for election back in 2021 and are what led me to ensure tackling rural crime was a key priority in my Police and Crime Plan. I know what a proudly rural county Dorset is, and from the outset I wanted to do something to help those who in the past may have felt overlooked.
I am proud of the work Dorset Police’s expanded Rural Crime Team has delivered over the years. This award-winning team have achieved positive results, delivering for victims and ensuring perpetrators are forced to face the consequences of their criminal actions. The effectiveness of this team has seen a 10% reduction in rural crime over the past two years, thanks in part to the support of our partners, as well as our rural communities who have worked alongside the team.
Since 2022, the Rural Crime Team has recovered and repatriated £2.2 million of stolen machinery and won a national award for their innovation in fighting organised crime, tackling these offences head on. I hope these results go some way towards showing that we take rural crime seriously in Dorset and care about our rural communities. If you’re concerned about something in your area, please contact Dorset Police. Each piece of intelligence the Force receives helps to build a picture for officers to take action. Together, we can build upon the work the Rural Crime Team and my Office have already delivered and continue to put measures in place to protect our rural communities and bring those who cause us harm to justice.
David Sidwick
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner
(May 2025)