POLICE have taken delivery of a new 4×4 vehicle to help in the fight against rural crime in Warwickshire.
The high performance all terrain Mitsubishi L200 has the capability to access remote areas too challenging for standard force vehicles.
A recent rural crime survey estimated the financial impact of rural crime in the UK to be over £800million, and Warwickshire Police launched its ‘Rural Matters’ campaign specifically to tackle the problem.
Force rural crime Supt Sue Thomas said: “Crime in rural south Warwickshire can range from wildlife crime and poaching, to theft of farm machinery and equipment.
“The 4×4 vehicle will allow us to get to remote crime scenes as well as engage with our rural communities living in areas that are difficult to access.
“We are working hard to ensure the people of Warwickshire are confident we are doing all we can to prevent rural crime and that if people are affected, they can report it and appropriate action can be taken.”
Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Ron Ball welcomed the delivery of the rural crime-fighting vehicle.
He said: “The new 4×4 vehicle will play an invaluable role in increasing the visibility of officers in rural areas, while also ensuring they can get out into the countryside, including to areas that might have been more difficult to reach with traditional vehicles.”
