Petworth farmer welcomes launch of Sussex Police’s new rural crime team: “It will make a huge difference”

A Petworth farmer has welcomed the launch of Sussex Police’s new rural crime team, which he said would make a ‘huge difference’ to local communities.
Mark Chandler (centre) with the new rural crime team at Moor Farm in PetworthMark Chandler (centre) with the new rural crime team at Moor Farm in Petworth
Mark Chandler (centre) with the new rural crime team at Moor Farm in Petworth

Mark Chandler from Moor Farm in Petworth, who is chairman of the West Sussex National Farmers Union (NFU), has been campaigning for such a team to be set up for the last three or four years.

In March, he told the Observer that farms like his were ‘under siege’ after more than £130,000 worth of GPS kits were stolen from nearby farms in just seven days.

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Mark Chandler, the chairman of the West Sussex National Farmers' UnionMark Chandler, the chairman of the West Sussex National Farmers' Union
Mark Chandler, the chairman of the West Sussex National Farmers' Union

He said he was ‘thrilled to bits’ after the force announced the launch of the team on Monday, June 1, which will have ‘a specialist focus on agricultural, equine, wildlife and heritage issues’.

Made up of two sergeants, eight constables and six police community support officers (PCSOs), the team hopes to increase confidence and encourage reporting through preventing crime and carrying out more proactive investigations.

Mr Chandler said the local NFU and local farming groups had worked ‘really hard’ to highlight the impact of crimes on rural communities.

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“That work has finally come to fruition,” he said. “They see it as a priority as much as we do.”

Mark Chandler, the chairman of the West Sussex National Farmers' UnionMark Chandler, the chairman of the West Sussex National Farmers' Union
Mark Chandler, the chairman of the West Sussex National Farmers' Union

He has already met the new team, which will operate out of bases at Midhurst and Heathfield, and said they were ‘well resourced’ with 4x4s, as well as ‘totally onboard and very enthusiastic’.

“We’re looking forward to seeing how it works and what the results will be,” Mr Chandler said. “But even something as simple as their presence will make a huge difference.”

With 62 per cent of Sussex’s area dedicated to farming, and a significant proportion being in the South Downs National Park, Sussex is defined as ‘significantly rural’ by DEFRA (2011).

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Chief Inspector Steve Biglands, Sussex Police’s Rural Crime lead, said: “We are keenly aware of the significant impact that these types of crimes have on our remote communities, and the implementation of this new team is designed to provide a direct link between those more isolated and the police.

“We want to encourage reporting of rural crimes, because with this insight, we are able to deploy the team to where they are most needed in order to protect the most vulnerable.

“We have a substantial number of rural residents and businesses in Sussex and they deserve our protection.”

Deputy Chief Constable for Sussex Police Jo Shiner said: “It is so important to have a dedicated team for this area of policing, which quite often can go unnoticed.

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“We want to reassure the residents of Sussex that we are here to disrupt rural crime, to catch those who think they can get away with it, and to ensure our more isolated communities feel safe in their own homes.

“There have been cases recently of animal thefts, quad bike thefts and numerous other countryside offences.

“We understand how destructive these are to people’s livelihoods, and how damaging they can be emotionally to the victim.

“We want perpetrators of these crimes to know we are here to catch them: do not consider committing the crime because we will bring you to justice.”

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Katy Bourne, the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “Through my ongoing consultations with local residents and organisations, including the National Farmers’ Union, I know that our rural and village communities in Sussex can sometimes feel ‘abandoned’ and ‘forgotten about’.

“Rural crime is particularly worrying and, since the Covid lockdown, there have been many disturbing reports of fly-tipping and expensive equipment theft.

“I want to reassure our rural residents that these crimes will not be ignored and are being taken extremely seriously.

“This expanded team will have the specialist knowledge, skills and training that is vital to police our rural communities, successfully investigate and prosecute crimes made against them and keep people feeling safe where they live and work.”

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