Bedfordshire’s new Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner has pledged to tackle crimes like fly tipping, theft from farms and hare coursing in a meeting with the county’s farming community.

Ian Dalgarno joined Bedfordshire Police’s Deputy Chief Constable Dan Vajzovic, rural crime team and National Farmers Union (NFU) forthcoming county chairman Freya Morgan.

The meeting saw the different groups pledge to work together to tackle crimes that impact rural communities across the county.

Deputy Commissioner Dalgarno said: “It was a fantastic opportunity to sit down with our farming communities across the county and tap into their local knowledge.

“It is vitally important that the police ensure our rural communities feel as safe and protected as those who live in our larger towns.

“The energy and enthusiasm from the meeting alongside some recent action we have taken should give renewed confidence to our farming community that we are all on the same page to crackdown on rural crime.”

This month police worked with Central Bedfordshire Council to secure a £3,000 fine for a man caught fly tipping near Houghton Regis.

Bedfordshire Police’s rural crime team has also secured a series of fines and criminal behaviour orders in connection to a hare coursing event in Bedford.

Deputy Commissioner Dalgarno introduced his vision for a ‘rural task force’ for farmers, the NFU and police to work together to help crackdown on rural crime.

The PCC believes these meetings are crucial for improving performance and delivery of police service in our rural areas and for the police to hear constructive feedback.

PC Stuart Grant from the force’s rural crime team spoke at length about the hare coursing which still takes place around Bedfordshire and encouraged farmers to record every incident to allow police to better understand the extent of the problem and which areas are targeted.

Chief Inspector Cray Birch said: “Many farmers have suffered from farm equipment thefts causing distress and a large financial loss.

“I was able to share details of our dedicated rural crime team and will strive to call on the victims to give reassurance and crime prevention advice.

“By working together we can get a grip on rural crime and bring those causing misery to our communities to justice.”

For more information about rural crime please visit https://www.beds.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rc/rural-crime/