UK: Growers urged to report thefts
PC Michael Laidlow of Kent Police told delegates at the British Independent Fruit Growers Association Technical Day last week.
"You have probably been the victim of crime, and you probably haven't reported it," he said.
"We haven't enough officers to cover the whole county, so we have to establish where the hot spots are so that we can target officers there."
PC Laidlow added that different types of rural crime were often clustered together.
"Poachers are likely to be involved in vehicle crime, metal theft and so on," he explained.
He pointed out that Kent Police has invested in powerful ultraviolet lamps that can detect SmartWater on stolen property.
It has also worked with other police forces in the South East to produce a DVD and education pack to help counter rural crime.
Source: www.hortweek.com