Bishops Castle and Craven Arms Rural

Rural Crime - based on resident feedback, crime data and ongoing local concerns

We will:
- Carry out high intensity targeted patrols focusing on vulnerable locations and properties.
- Visit local farms and offer preventative advice with specialist departments
- Offer farmers and rural residents Smartwater

We did:
Officers from the Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) are continuing to support Operation Whitebeam, West Mercia Police's ongoing campaign to prevent and reduce rural thefts across our communities. As part of the operation, neighbourhood officers work proactively to identify theft hotspots, conduct high-visibility patrols and engage with residents to help reduce opportunities for offenders.

When a rural theft occurs, SNT officers will visit victims to offer reassurance and practical crime prevention advice. These visits provide an opportunity to discuss security measures, identify any vulnerabilities and help residents feel safer in their homes and businesses following what can be a distressing experience.
Officers also work closely with partner agencies and local communities to raise awareness of theft prevention, encouraging residents to take simple steps to protect their homes and businesses, such as ensuring doors and windows are secure, using appropriate lighting and reporting suspicious activity.
By supporting Operation Whitebeam, Safer Neighbourhood Teams aim not only to catch offenders but also to prevent rural thefts from happening in the first place through education, engagement and visible policing.

Road Safety - based on resident feedback, crime data and ongoing local concerns

We will:
- review available speed and collision data for this area
- focus police visibility on high risk locations
- consider speed surveys and enforcement

We Did:
Officers have carried out regular patrols in areas highlighted by residents as speeding hotspots.
Community engagement events have given residents the opportunity to discuss concerns directly with local officers.
Traffic Offence Reports (TORs) have been issued to drivers committing road traffic offences.
Local officers have received training in the use of the new TruCam speed detection device, which will help us carry out more targeted speed enforcement.
We continue to work closely with the Road Safety Team and our partner agencies to improve road safety across the area.

Anti-Social Behaviour - based on resident feedback, crime data and ongoing local concerns

We will:
- Deal robustly with people committing anti-social behaviour, making use of available legislation to divert offenders and prevent harm.
- Ensure officers are visible in areas of heightened concern.
- Conduct further neighbourhood priority surveys to identify areas of focus.

We did:
Worked with partner agencies to divert and educate those causing anti-social behaviour.
Issued Community Protection Warnings and ASB letters to those causing anti-social behaviour.
Conducted visible patrols of those areas identified as being affected by anti-social behaviour.