Rural crime
Rural Crime Matters
Our rural communities are some of the safest places to live, but unfortunately they are not immune from crime.
Rural crime can take many forms, including hare coursing, poaching, livestock worrying, fly-tipping, theft of agricultural machinery, fuel theft, illegal hunting, criminal damage and wildlife crime. These offences not only affect local farmers and landowners but can have a significant impact on the wider community.
PCSO Will and colleagues continue to carry out regular patrols of rural hotspots across the area, working closely with farmers, landowners, gamekeepers and partner agencies to gather intelligence, deter offenders and provide reassurance.
We rely heavily on information from the public. If you see suspicious vehicles, people acting unusually in rural locations, or any activity that doesn’t seem right, please report it. Even small pieces of information can help build a bigger picture.
Report crime or suspicious activity: • 999 if a crime is in progress or there is an immediate threat to life. • 101 for non-emergency reports. • Report online via the Avon and Somerset Police website. • Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111 if you wish to remain anonymous.
When reporting suspicious vehicles, please try to provide: Registration number
-Make, model and colour
– Location
– Direction of travel
– Description of occupants
Together we can help protect our countryside, support our farming communities and prevent rural crime.
#RuralCrime #NeighbourhoodPolicing #WorkingTogether #RuralPatrols #SupportingFarmers #FromeRuralBeat #AvonAndSomersetPolice
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26 October 2026
Rural Crime Matters
Our rural communities remain some of the safest places to live and work, but unfortunately they are not immune from crime.
Rural crime can take many forms, including hare coursing, poaching, livestock worrying, fly-tipping, theft of agricultural machinery, fuel theft, illegal hunting, criminal damage and wildlife crime. These offences can have a significant financial and emotional impact on farmers, landowners and rural residents.
PCSO Will and colleagues continue to carry out regular high-visibility patrols across rural areas, including visits to farms, villages and known rural crime hotspots. We work closely with farmers, gamekeepers, landowners, the National Farmers Union (NFU), partner agencies and local communities to gather intelligence, deter offenders and support those affected by crime.
Recent patrols have focused on tackling hare coursing, illegal hunting, thefts from farms, livestock worrying and suspicious vehicle activity. Officers have also been engaging with rural businesses and residents to provide crime prevention advice and reassurance.
We rely heavily on information from our communities. If you see suspicious vehicles, unfamiliar individuals in remote locations, or activity that doesn’t look right, please report it. Information that may seem insignificant could be vital in building intelligence and identifying offenders.
Reporting Crime or Suspicious Activity
999 – If a crime is in progress or there is an immediate threat to life.
101 – For non-emergency reports.
Report online via the Avon and Somerset Police website.
Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111 if you wish to remain anonymous.
When Reporting Suspicious Vehicles Please Provide:
- Registration number
- Make, model and colour
- Location seen
- Direction of travel
- Description of occupants
- Any photographs or video, where safe to obtain
Working together, we can help protect our countryside, support our farming communities and prevent rural crime.
#RuralCrime #NeighbourhoodPolicing #WorkingTogether #RuralPatrols #SupportingFarmers #RuralCommunities #FromeRuralBeat #AvonAndSomersetPolice