Marc Jones, the Conservative candidate to be Lincolnshire’s next Police and Crime Commissioner, has welcomed the announcement by Lincolnshire Police of the introduction of a specialist team to tackle rural crime.

During his campaign Marc Jones has been championing the need to tackle rural crime in a more serious way.

Recently areas around Horncastle, Louth and Market Rasen have been subject to increased levels of rural crime. This has included burglaries at farms, workshops and garages with tools, agricultural vehicles and LandRover 4x4 being stolen, in the majority of cases. There has also been damage to crops, gates and fences.

The effects of this sort of criminal activity on the rural economy can put local jobs at risk.

At the weekend (April 23rd – 24th) the new team comprising regular officers, special constables, police community support officers and volunteers from Caistor, Louth and Market Rasen conducted patrols and gathered intelligence; in the first efforts of Operation Aardwolf. Marc Jones said:-

“I am pleased that Lincolnshire Police has taken this initiative. I still plan to urgently review Lincolnshire Police’s approach to tackling rural crime, should I be successfully elected on Thursday, 5th May, nevertheless this is a very welcome piece of work.

“I have been meeting residents and farmers across Lincolnshire and know that there is a growing concern about rural crime. I met Peter Moulds recently of Grange Farm who knows all to well, from first-hand experience, the effect of rural crime.”

Mr. Peter Moulds said:

“Rural crime can have harsh consequences for businesses and the local economy. I believe Marc’s idea of recruiting local volunteers to help police the countryside is very worthwhile and could make a real difference.”