Volunteer Police Officers To Help Fight Rural Crime

A new team of specially-trained volunteer Police officers will help tackle rural crime across Leicestershire,

The Special constables will help bolster patrols in countryside locations, working alongside regular officers, and be involved in dealing with everything from illegal hare-coursing and fox hunting to poaching and fly-tipping.

The officers, who have full policing powers, give up their time for free to assist the Leicestershire force alongside their normal day jobs.

The new team will help tackle rural crime

Police and Crime Commissioner Lord Willy Bach said: “The efforts that are being made to tackle crime in rural areas illustrate just how seriously the force and I take the issues faced by those living in rural communities.

“Rural crime often presents a different set of challenges, but it is still very much crime, and I know the force is determined to crack down on it. That’s why I particularly welcome the introduction of the dedicated ‘rural’ special constables. Special constables bring a unique and broad range of skills and experiences to our policing family and I’m quite sure that this team will make a significant difference to our rural communities.”

The team will be led by Special Sergeant Leigh Moore, who works to support the farmers of England and Wales in his full time job with the National Farmers Union (NFU).

Leigh said: “Rural crime is on the increase nationally, with emerging trends occurring all the time. Having a team of like-minded individuals to support our regular colleagues allows us to be in more places more of the time, and that can only be a great thing.

“I am fortunate to have a diverse team who can bring skills they have from their many walks of life to such a niche and important community.”

To find out more about the Leicestershire’s Special Constabulary, please visit the force website leics.police.uk/couldyou or follow @LeicsSpecials on twitter.