Rural Crime Conference 22nd May 2014

On 22nd May The High Sheriff hosted a Conference on Rural Crime.  This was a joint initiative in association with The Chief Constable of West Mercia David Shaw. The Police and Crime Commissioner Bill Longmore the National Farmers Union County Chairman Julian Partridge and NFU Mutual represented by Matthew Price.  Around 300 guests attended and some 30 police officers were present to meet the public.  The afternoon was introduced by the High Sheriff before the Chief Constable outlined his aims for tackling Rural Crime. Superintendent Sue Thomas then talked of how she was tackling the problem.  Julian Partridge then gave us a farmers perspective and Matthew Price mentioned some aspects of insurance before outlining the Stop that Thief initiative which had been successfully trialled in Kington and was now to be  rolled out across Hereford by the NFU in conjunction with the Police and in particular with Inspector Paul Crumpton and Charles Naylor.  Finally the Police and Crime Commissioner Bill Longmore and his deputy Barry Sheldon discussed how this issue was one of the priorities they had pledged to tackle during their election campaign and told us how they would be funding it.  After questions Lieutenant General Sir John Foley summed up with a few words on behalf of the Lord Lieutenant and then briefed those present on plans for marking the 100th anniversary of World War One. Tea and drinks were then served with an opportunity to meet and discuss with the speakers.