Staffordshire Police Corporate PowerPoint Template by Carl Uttley 9545
Rural Crime Work Shop
Insp Geoff Knight
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Staffordshire Police Corporate PowerPoint Template by Carl Uttley 9545
What is Rural Crime
People who live in rural areas fall victims to the same types of crime and
disorder as people elsewhere and suffer the same types of problems.
These problems may be compounded by other aspects of rural life; for
example, a lack of services, physical isolation and social exclusion.
There are also crimes that are peculiar to the countryside, such as thefts of
livestock and farm equipment, wildlife crime and mass trespass.
Wildlife crime takes many forms, from people shooting at birds with air guns
in the local park to the more organised crimes of poaching, badger baiting
and the trade in endangered species.
Home Office: Crime Reduction Toolkit 2010
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Staffordshire Police Corporate PowerPoint Template by Carl Uttley 9545
Key Workshop Aims
• Examine crime prevention methods
• Understand basic problem solving
• Explore what other services are available
in South Staffordshire to support
victims/communities to solve problems
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Staffordshire Police Corporate PowerPoint Template by Carl Uttley 9545
Crime Prevention
• Primary – education to general population
to prevent crime before it occurs
• Secondary – a particular ‘at risk’ group
• Tertiary – known offenders to reduce
offending and the harm associated
Newburn,T. (2007) Criminology. Cullompton: Willan Publishing (p)
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Staffordshire Police Corporate PowerPoint Template by Carl Uttley 9545
Problem Analysis Triangle
PAT
Victim
(p)
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Staffordshire Police Corporate PowerPoint Template by Carl Uttley 9545
Problem Solving Theory Example
Understanding Offenders’ thought processes;
Before committing any crime an offender asks
themselves 3 questions :
• What’s the effort ?
• What’s the risk ?
• What are the rewards ?
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(p)
Staffordshire Police Corporate PowerPoint Template by Carl Uttley 9545
Scenarios
• In your group discuss the associated issues and
write a list of solutions and or partners who can
support you. Present your solutions under the three
headings;
Offender
Victim
Location
(Partners include, Parish & District & County Councils,
Health, Education, Housing, Fire Service, Social
Services, Environment Agency, Highways Authority,
Health& Safety Exec, Voluntary Services).
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(p)
Staffordshire Police Corporate PowerPoint Template by Carl Uttley 9545
Stuart and Glen
Stuart and Glen are same sex partners; they are both in
full time employment. They have been together for 25
years and have recently moved to the area which is a
perfect location for them as they approach retirement.
All of their neighbours know they are a gay couple and
they have been welcomed into the community without
incident. However, over the last 3 weeks during the
daytime someone has been posting dog faeces through
their letterbox. Someone also used the excrement to
daub the word ‘gays’ on their front door. They have
reported this as a hate crime together with 9 separate
incidents. Opposite their house is a common where less
than 20 metres away there is a dog waste bin attached
to a post.
What can we do as partners to support them and what
can we do to prevent them from being the victims of
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further crime?
Staffordshire Police Corporate PowerPoint Template by Carl Uttley 9545
Mabel
Mabel Jones is 84; she lives in her bungalow in a quiet
cul-de-sac. Her husband died last year and she lives
alone. Her family rarely visit as they are busy with their
lives and her garden is overgrown so much that there
are high hedges around her front garden. Her home has
been broken into three times in as many months by
forcing the front door, she has also suffered from bogus
officials who have purported to be reading the water
meter but have stolen items whilst inside including her
husband’s war medals. She is very lonely and is afraid to
open her door to anyone or leave the house.
What can we do as partners to support her and what can
we do to prevent her from being the victim of further
crime?
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Staffordshire Police Corporate PowerPoint Template by Carl Uttley 9545
Jonathon
Jonathon lives with his wife and two young children.
They have recently bought a new house on a local
housing estate. His wife is suffering from post natal
depression and the family are under a lot of stress.
Opposite their house is a play area for toddlers and at
night time local youths are using it to hang about. There
has been an increase in noise in the evening and they
have had eggs thrown at their windows on two separate
occasions. He has been out to confront the youths who
responded with threats to his property. Following this his
car has been scratched and someone has sprayed
obscenities on his garden fence.
What can we do as partners to support them and what
can we do to prevent them from being the victims of
further crime?
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Staffordshire Police Corporate PowerPoint Template by Carl Uttley 9545
Robert
Rob owns a farm and grows various crops. All of his farm
machinery is kept in or next to a large barn which is
situated half a mile from his house. He has recently
suffered from a spate of thefts including a quad bike and
various parts off his two tractors. Times are tough and
money is tight and he cannot afford to lose anymore
equipment. His livelihood is at risk and he is worried sick.
What can we do as partners to support them and what
can we do to prevent them from being the victims of
further crime?
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Staffordshire Police Corporate PowerPoint Template by Carl Uttley 9545
Jennifer
Jennifer is a single parent and has recently struck up a
relationship with Gary who is someone she works with.
Gary is very possessive and has recently hit Jenny
giving her a black eye for talking to other male work
colleagues. Jenny has reported this to police and has
broken off the relationship. Jenny would not support any
prosecution and just wanted him warned. Due to
insufficient evidence no action was taken against Gary
and he is now visiting her late at night banging on her
door. Jenny and her children are very scared though
when the police are called Gary runs off, he denies the
visits and provides a fictitious alibi.
What can we do as partners to support her and what can
we do to prevent her from being the victim of further
crime?
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Staffordshire Police Corporate PowerPoint Template by Carl Uttley 9545
Mount Pleasant Crescent
The rear gardens in Mount Pleasant Crescent back on to
a park and community centre with a large car park and
children’s play area. A number of local voluntary groups
use the centre during the day and in the evenings. Lately
a number of residents have complained about ‘boyracers’ who are racing down the road and along the
driveway at high speed performing hand brake turns and
wheel spins on the car park. Local youths have now
started to gather in the evenings at the weekends to
watch. The local community feel that the park is a no go
area in the evening and local groups have started
meeting elsewhere. Minor damage and littering with
empty beer bottles and cans is now a regular problem.
What can we do as partners to support the community
and what can we do to prevent there from being further
crime and anti-social behaviour?
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Staffordshire Police Corporate PowerPoint Template by Carl Uttley 9545
Martin
Farmer Martin lives alone on a large isolated dairy farm containing
500 head of cattle. His farm is divided into sections by metal gates
and electric fencing thus keeping the different animals apart.
At present he is banned from milking his cattle as some of his heard
have recently tested positive for bovine TB. Due to these
circumstances money is very tight and the consequences of having no
other income are causing not only financial difficulties but also his
mental health is starting to deteriorate.
To make matters worse Martin has recently noticed that numerous
gates and fences surrounding his property are constantly being
damaged by suspected poachers who are targeting wild deer.
Consequently he finds his cattle are continually roaming on the local
main roads, causing him to fear for the safety of not only his cattle but
that of road users and possible prosecution by the Police for failing to
maintain his fences.
He feels isolated and threatened by the poachers and does not know
who to call when he sees them on his land and that if he confronts
them he fears the consequences.
What can we do as partners to support him and what can we do to
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prevent him being a victim of crime.
Staffordshire Police Corporate PowerPoint Template by Carl Uttley 9545
Problem Solving Theory Example
Understanding Offenders’ thought processes;
Before committing any crime an offender asks
themselves 3 questions :
• What’s the effort ?
• What’s the risk ?
• What are the rewards ?
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Staffordshire Police Corporate PowerPoint Template by Carl Uttley 9545
• What’s the effort ?
Solution – Increase the effort needed to
commit the crime
• What’s the risk ?
Solution - Increase the risk of getting
caught or convicted
• What are the rewards ?
Solution – Reduce the reward/benefits
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Staffordshire Police Corporate PowerPoint Template by Carl Uttley 9545
Have We Achieved the Key
Workshop Aims?
• Examine crime prevention methods
• Understand basic problem solving
• Explore what other services are available in
South Staffordshire to support
victims/communities to solve problems
• Has your knowledge improved?
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Staffordshire Police Corporate PowerPoint Template by Carl Uttley 9545
Questions
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