I wanted to provide you with an update regarding Rural crime, which people around your area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the priority survey.

On 05/07/2025 there has been a theft from a farm in AYLBURTON, The male has driven onto the farm in a Grey Volvo Estate gone through several sets of gates straight to the trailer hitched it up and drove off, the trailer has had equipment on. It has happened early evening and the male driving is described as tall and large build wearing a hat. If you have any further information please report online quoting this incident number GC-20250705-0123

Rural crime has no set definition but can be very broadly classified as any crime and anti-social behaviour occurring in rural areas. It is often linked to Organised Crime Groups (OCGs) who target and exploit rural communities across a range of crime types, for example organised plant theft, livestock theft, burglaries targeting firearms, poaching and hare coursing.

The NPCC (National Police Chiefs Council) has developed a Rural Affairs Strategy which sets out police priorities in this area:

• Farm machinery, plant and vehicle theft - including quad bikes, modern and vintage tractors, tools and equipment from outbuildings.
• Livestock offences - including theft, worrying and attacks.
• Fuel theft - including heating oil, diesel and petrol.
• Equine crime - including horse trailer and horse box theft, horse theft, tack theft, fly grazing and neglect.
• Fly tipping - including household and commercial waste, waste through organised criminality.
• Poaching which crosses over with the wildlife priorities - including hare coursing, deer poaching, fish poaching.
• Heritage crime - It is also important to recognise that rural crime and antisocial behaviour have an adverse impact on the historic environment and heritage assets found across the United Kingdom - including the theft of metal from church buildings, unlawful metal detecting and interference with historic shipwrecks.

More information on these issues and prevention advice can be found at Rural crime | Neighbourhood Watch Network

If you ever experience this issue or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at https://www.gloucestershire.police.uk/, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101.

Alternatively, you can stay 100 per cent anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.

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