Arrest and vehicles seized in rural crime day of action

A large-scale day of action took place in and around Ross on Wye on Wednesday (13 May) as West Mercia Police joined forces with partners to clamp down on rural crime.

Op Hartfell saw officers from our rural crime teams stationed off the A40 near Ross pulling in vehicles of interest to check for roadworthiness, weight limits, animal welfare, illegal use of red diesel use and for valid tax and insurance.

Supported by Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs), the Operational Policing Unit (OPU) and motorcycle team, special constables and our specialist vehicle examiners, they focused on vehicles towing trailers or carrying plant, machinery, livestock or waste and were also looking to disrupt any serious and organised crime groups operating in the area.

One person was arrested during the day as West Mercia was supported by partners including HMRC; Herefordshire Council enforcement team looking at waste carriers, animal welfare/transports; and the Caravan Central Registration & Identification Scheme (CRiS), as well as officers from neighbouring force Gloucestershire Police.

The Rural and Business Officer team (funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner) also conducted farm visits in the Herefordshire area checking on sites for any security issues, and speaking with farmers about crime prevention, handing out padlock kits, and SmartWater property marking kits.

A community bike-marking event was held by SNT in Llangrove, who also had an engagement van in Ross town centre, and performed road safety checks at locations in south Herefordshire.

During the day, 30 vehicles were checked over on the A40 site, and the following results were achieved: -

• One arrest off site by traffic officers for drug driving offences.
• Two vehicles seized for no insurance.
• 13 drivers reported/processed for traffic offences- including no insurance, overladen vehicle/trailer, expired MOT and vehicle defects.
• One HMRC red diesel offence where a £530 HMRC fine was issued.
• One Herefordshire Council Enforcement Team waste carrier offence – a £300 fine was issued.
• One Herefordshire Council Enforcement Team seizure of illegal foodstuff, (meat and dairy) completed and issue of a fixed penalty notice.
• One Herefordshire Council Enforcement Team formal warning issued to a livestock (cattle) carrier for failure to properly record movement of animals’ offences.
• Five Caravan Central Registration & Identification Scheme (CRiS) caravan ownership checks.

SNT Sergeant Alice Bennett’s team were also supporting in hotspot locations around south Herefordshire and recorded the following results: -

A4137 Marstow

• 45 cars speed checked but no speeding offences were identified.
• Two words of advice given for movement of cattle in trailer which didn’t have a number plate.
• One Traffic Offence Report (TOR) for use of mobile phone.

A49 Peterstow and Bridstow

• Two words of advice given for brake lights not working.
• One words of advice for brake lights not working on trailer.
• No speeding offences identified.

Walford Road, Ross

• 50 vehicles checked – no speeding identified.
• One resident spoke to police thanking them for conducting speed checks, discussed speeding signs and general information related to the Community Speed Watch group.
• One stop check on vehicle parking inconsiderately on Walford Road junction – words of advice given.
• ANPR – one vehicle checked – it was all in order following checks.

Goodrich

• One TOR for no number plate.
• One TOR for not wearing a seatbelt.

Inspector Billy Keys, from the Prevention Hub South, said: “Wednesday saw a successful rural crime day of action in south Herefordshire, focusing on Ross on Wye and the surrounding area, with an arrest made and vehicles taken off the roads after being assessed at our check site.

“This was a first of its kind large operation by the Rural Crime Team and OPU/SNT/specials specifically targeting rural crime to focus on those either breaking the law on our rural roads for the benefit of all motorists or those breaching regulations in farming.

“We also engaged with our farming community, speaking with them, offering crime prevention advice and handing out security kits.

“Op Hartfell highlights the work West Mercia Police does to protect and serve our rural communities 24/7, 365 days a year and we will carry out similar operations in future.”

PCC John Campion said: "Days of action like this provide real reassurance to our communities that the issues that matter most to them are being tackled. 

“This operation is a great example of partners working together to take action to disrupt criminal activity, keep our roads safe and support our rural communities."