Coleg Cambria Assists with Rural Crime Plan

Three newly appointed Rural Crime Officers visited Coleg Cambria Llysfasi for their two day taster ‘Introduction to Farming’ programme recently.

The Officers, PC Paul Davies from Wrexham and Flintshire, PC Dave Allen from Conwy and Denbighshire and PC Dewi Evans from Gwynedd and Anglesey spent two days at the College learning about livestock handling, movements and passports, machinery and farm safety. They also visited Ruthin Auction during the programme.

People living in rural and isolated areas are becoming increasingly worried about crime in their communities such as theft of equipment, scrap metal and animals. The Rural Crime Plan was recently introduced by North Wales Police (NWP) to concentrate on reducing and preventing crime making people feel safer both at home and in public places. This investment into tackling rural crime will hopefully be a great boost for the farming economy.

Coleg Cambria Deputy Director of Curriculum Land-based, Andy Read said: “It has been a pleasure to work with North Wales Police and to help them in such a positive way. The staff at Coleg Cambria Llysfasi have, in a short period time, been able to instruct, identify and advise the Officers on agricultural practices and where the opportunities for minimising crime exist. The College is pleased to be able to support NWP and grateful to Sgt Rob Taylor – Rural Team Manager, for his offer to attend Coleg Cambria Llysfasi on a regular basis and support our students’ learning experience.”

Rural Crime Team Manager Sgt Rob Taylor said: “We are extremely grateful to Coleg Cambria Llysfasi for assisting the new police Rural Crime Team, by providing them with a two days introduction to farming procedures and practices course and I know the three police officers thoroughly enjoyed the experience, which included identifying quad bike serial numbers, working with livestock and even having a go at milking.

“It is vital that the team have a good understanding of farming practices and procedures and this course certainly assisted them with this. We look forward to maintaining the relationship we now have with Coleg Cambria Llysfasi and working closely with them in the future.”