Rural crime

Rural crime can be grouped into four main categories:

Wildlife crime

This includes hare coursing, poaching and interfering with protected species.

Agricultural crime

This covers working farms, farm machinery, farm buildings and smallholdings. Offences include theft of equipment or fuel, damage to property and livestock worrying.

Heritage crime

This is defined as 'any offence which harms the value of England's heritage assets and their settings to this and future generations'. That can include offences like lead theft from churches, damage to ancient monuments and illegal metal detecting

Environmental crime

This includes illegal waste dumping, fly tipping, polluting watercourses and land.

Visit Thames Valley Police Rural Crime Prevention website (opens in new tab) for advice and tips to avoid becoming a victim of crime. Report rural crime (TVP website opens in new tab).