| The following email has been
received from P.C. Jon Radcliffe of Winchester 'Countrywatch'
From: winchester.countrywatch@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
Sent: 27 June 2010 18:07:15
To: solentmdc@hotmail.com
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am P.C 24208 Jon Radcliffe of the Hampshire Constabulary, based at
Bishops Waltham.
My role with the Police is that of Countryside and Wildlife Crime Officer.
The link to the Rural Policing web page is as follows:
http://www.hampshire.police.uk/Internet/rural/
Hampshire Police are receiving more and more reports of the illegal use of
metal detectors on private land and historic
sites.
Please do not think that I am saying that Solent MDC members are engaged
in illegal activity; the reason for the
contact is to meet up with representatives from local detecting clubs to
establish what can be done by Clubs and the
Police to combat those persons who could potentially have an impact on
your hobby, but also an impact on the
heritage of the nation.
My contact details are below.
I look forward to meeting you
Many thanks
Jon Radcliffe, P.C 24208
Countryside and Wildlife Crime Officer
Meon Valley Police Station
Hoe Road,
Bishops Waltham
HANTS
SO32 1DS
Tel: 0845 045 4545 ext 643 126
Mobile: 07901 102255
Email:
winchester.countrywatch@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
What is it saying or asking? What do Solent MDC
members and other detectorists think?
From the Internet ::-
"Country Watch is a rural
policing initiative in Hampshire, which aims to steadily reduce crime in
the countryside through working partnerships involving the police, members
of the rural community and public and commercial organisations.
In addition to reducing conventional property and personal crimes, the aim
of Country Watch is to tackle many types of crime which are of special
concern to country people – including occupations by ‘travellers’, illegal
hunting and gambling events, fly tipping etc.
Central OCU Country Watch
The Central OCU Country Watch team consists of:
PCSO Sally Beard, based at Waterlooville Police Station, covering the
South of Butser area
PC Jon Radcliffe, based at Bishop's Waltham Police Station, covering the
rural areas of North, Central and Southern Meon Valley and North and South
Gate areas of Winchester
They are in regular contact with over 600 members of the rural community,
including landowners, farmers, gamekeepers, horse owners, water balliffs
and those who live there.
Regular emails and texts are sent to all members give updates on current
crime trends and vehicles involved in crime. Members are active in
reporting all suspicious activities to the police.
PCSO Beard and PC Radcliffe work closely with their colleagues in the
Safer Neighbourhood Teams, Targeted Patrol Teams and outside agencies,
including the Environment Agency, Forestry Commission, HM Revenue and
Customs and local councils, to tackle all aspects of crime in the rural
community.
These crimes include:
Theft from farms,
Fuel theft,
Theft of agricultural and plant machinery,
Poaching
Environmental, wildlife and heritage crime.
PCSO Sally Beard has a Country Watch radio scheme in the South of Butser
area, which gives farmers the means to share information between
themselves and the police, including reporting suspected criminal
activity. It is hoped scheme will roll out across the whole of Hampshire.
PC Jon Radcliffe says: "We want the rural community to know that we are
here to help. The police need your help and support to drive criminals out
of the countryside. We want them to know that if they come out into the
countryside they will be seen, their vehicle details taken and passed to
the police. They will then be stopped and dealt with, learning they are
not welcome.
"Together, we can put a stop to rural crime."
PC Jon Radcliffe and PCSO Sally Beard can be contacted by dialling 101 or
0845 045 45 45. In an emergency, always dial 999."
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