Crackdown targets crime in rural areas

SPECIALIST police officers who mounted an operation against rural crime revealed the results yesterday and said they were pleased with what had been achieved.

Wildlife officers from South Yorkshire Police carried out Operation Dunlin on September 14 and 15 after previous similar operations were run last October and January.

The police teamed up with farmers, landowners and gamekeepers in Barnsley and Doncaster to help to reduce poaching, wildlife persecution, theft, criminal damage and antisocial behaviour.

In this month’s effort, specialist road crime teams, district beat officers and force wildlife officers ran an overnight operation to catch criminals operating under the cover of darkness.

Officers said that during the night, four unroadworthy vehicles were taken off the road, four fixed penalty tickets were issued for traffic offences and one person was summoned to court for poaching offences.

Police stopped and searched 53 vehicles and two groups of men were also stopped on suspicion of poaching and their equipment was seized.

The two previous operations saw a total of 17 individuals issued with a summons for poaching offences and four vehicles were recovered. A further 19 fixed penalty notices were issued for traffic offences.

Superintendent David Hartley said: “I am delighted with the latest result from Operation Dunlin, we are aware of the seasonal trends for rural crime and by listening to our rural communities we were prepared for this increase.

“We will maintain the focus on this crime and my message to anyone who thinks rural crime or poaching is an easy option be assured it is not, and the result will be your vehicle, or equipment seized and a day in court.”