New police team set up in 'Capital of the Wolds' to target heritage, rural and wildlife crime

Humberside Police has created the team, consisting of four police officers and one sergeant, based at Driffield Police Station, but tasked with covering the whole of East Yorkshire.

The team will be targeting those who commit crime within rural communities.

Neighbourhood Inspector John Powell, who is leading the team, said: "Over the years Humberside Police have worked tirelessly to tackle rural crime and help to make our rural communities feel safer.

"This new team will focus on disruption of criminal activities, apprehension, arrest, charging and prosecution of offenders.This is all with the aim of deterring others from committing similar offences. This will send out a clear message that rural, wildlife and heritage crime will not be tolerated.

"The team will be building on existing relationships with local rural communities, groups and businesses which will develop and support them in tackling crimes that affect them most."

The new Rural Task Force will continue the proactive work already carried out by police teams across the county who are targeting hare coursing and poaching, marine wildlife disturbance, raptor persecution, as well as offences around hunting with dogs, badger baiting and heritage crime.

The team will also focus on tackling plant and agricultural theft and associated crimes.

Working alongside Humberside Fire and Rescue Service, the team will have access to the latest drone technology to gather the best evidence of hunting and poaching offences. They will also work closely with East Riding Council to give Community Protection Warnings and Notices to wildlife crime perpetrators.

The Rural Task Force will be working in partnership with Humberside Fire and Rescue utilising the latest drone technology to achieve best evidence of hunting and poaching offences, and also East Riding of Yorkshire Council with further enforcement opportunities around Community Protection Warnings and Notices for those who commit wildlife crime within our area.

The team is already working alongside neighbouring forces to share intelligence and information to target criminals who travel across the border to commit offences.

Officers joined forces with the North Yorkshire Rural Task Force in a joint cross border night time operation late last month to target poachers in both counties.