Organised crime – an increasing threat in rural areas

The police are seeing criminal gangs operating in rural communities more and more often. These criminals are organised, deliberate, repetitive – and intimidating.

Usually, they are stealing machinery and targeting wildlife to fund their other criminal enterprises or to launder money gained from their other illegal activities.

The crime is just one of a string of illegal activities linked to some of the most harmful crimes in our society.

They think nothing of harming our local wildlife, environment and communities, putting those who live and work in the countryside under threat.

Crimestoppers, which is an independent charity, is launching a campaign in Gloucestershire to highlight this and to encourage people to speak up with information. Read more about the campaign here.

Speak up anonymously and help stop the gangs.

Rural communities and businesses are often aware that criminal activity is happening, but for a variety of reasons do not want to talk to the police. Crimestoppers offers an alternative way to pass on the information you know – without anyone ever knowing that you have done so. You can contact them online or by phone and you will remain 100% anonymous. Crimestoppers cannot trace your phone number or your device and they do not want to know your name. They just take your information, make sure that there is nothing which could identify you, and then pass it on to the police. Read more about their 100% anonymity guarantee here.

Be vigilant – know what to look out for

If you live or work in a rural area, you are best placed to spot suspicious activity and Crimestoppers has lots of information about what to look out for such as drone activity over private property, people and dogs scouting out fields for hare coursing, groups with powerful lights at night, unusual vehicle activity, illegal waste collectors and strangers who’ve strayed far from the public footpath. For helpful advice and information on theft, wildlife crime and environmental crime click here.

How to report to Crimestoppers anonymously

If you have information about criminal activity or those who are involved, and want to remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers online or on the phone by calling 0800 555 111.

You can tell them about suspicious activity you’ve seen nearby, details about the people or businesses involved, information about people selling stolen goods/poached animals, or anything that you think will help identify and catch the criminals involved.