Concerns over increasing violence linked to rural crime have united police and crime commissioners from Wiltshire, Hampshire and Thames Valley.

The commissioners, alongside MPs, rural community representatives, and the head of the National Rural Crime Unit, met on Friday, November 22 to discuss a collaborative approach to tackling the issue.

The meeting, held in Faccombe, focused on strategies to relentlessly pursue and prosecute those who target rural communities with threats and acts of violence.

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New commitment to fight theft, poaching and hare coursing unveiled (Image: Thames Valley Police) Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said: "Rural communities are the backbone of our counties, and no one should feel unsafe in their own home, business or community.

"The escalating violence tied to rural crime is deeply concerning, and we will not stand by while criminals target rural residents with such disregard."

Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson, added: "The escalating violence we have seen recently from criminals intent on spreading fear and terror in our rural communities is shocking and will not be allowed to continue."

The commissioners highlighted recent incidents of vehicles being used as weapons by offenders in Wiltshire and Hampshire.

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They emphasised the need for proactive policing to keep rural communities safe and prevent further harm.

The meeting also discussed the success of Operation Ragwort, a collaboration formed last year between all police forces and police and crime commissioners in the south-west to combat rural crime.

The operation shares intelligence and resources between the forces in Wiltshire, Avon and Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, Dorset and Gloucestershire to provide a comprehensive and coordinated response to rural crime.

Mr Wilkinson expressed a desire to expand Operation Ragwort to include more police forces in the south of England.

He said: "I want to help build the capacity of police forces across the south of England - not just in the south-west - in order to better understand the networking of these organised criminal groups."

Following the meeting, Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Barber, praised the Thames Valley Rural Crime Taskforce, established in March 2022, for its efforts in combating rural crime.

He said: "Collaboration across borders is essential to creating a hostile environment for these criminals.

"I look forward to continuing our partnership with the PCCs of Hampshire and Wiltshire to ensure we protect rural communities across the Thames Valley."