The theft of agricultural equipment continues to remain a priority of the Neighbourhood Policing Team. Rural crime can have a significant impact on our local community. The Neighbourhood Team have been offering crime prevention advice and conducting targeted patrols around the more rural areas. We recommend that those who own high value machinery consider having trackers fitted as standard practice and all other property is kept secure and marked where possible. Officers will continue to build intelligence on areas and persons of concern and we encourage the public to report any suspicious activity to their local team. Local PCSO’s will promote recruitment to farm and horse watch schemes. We will also be visiting existing members to ensure details are up to date and members are afforded the most up to date crime prevention advice.

***Update***

There have been further reports of stolen plant theft within the NPT area. PCSO's from the team, alongside our Rural Affairs Unit, have recovered a stolen tractor. We continue to engage with the local farming community as a vital part of our intelligence gathering.

Local residents have raised concerns around vehicles travelling at excess speed along North Street in Martock. This road is subject to heavier traffic flow due to its proximity in the centre of the village, it’s use as access to the main shopping area and it’s use as a feed road to the A303.

Local officers will continue to provide a high visibility presence on this road to deter excess speed. They will make use of speed monitoring equipment to gauge the extent of the problem and consideration will be given to recruiting the assistance of the Constabulary's Speed Enforcement Unit to deter drivers from travelling at excess speed and to gather in depth data, with the consideration of approaching the community to start a Community Speed Watch.

***Update***

Our Speed Enforcement Unit has conducted an assessment of the road. Unfortunately the road layout is not suitable for a Speed Indicator Device, however the site would be suitable for a Community  Speed Watch (CSW) programme. The NPT have reached out to the community to assess the interest in a CSW and await responses. If you are interested, please let us know in the contact us section.

Due to its remote location, Ham Hill Country Park suffers from instances of anti-social behaviour, including drug usage, vehicle nuisance and out of control dogs. This is particularly prevalent during the summer months where the weather results in an increase in footfall and longer days. 

Local officers will work with the park rangers to identify areas of specific concern across the park. Close attention will be paid to these areas and we will increase high visibility patrols, on foot and cycle. Particular attention will be paid to the parks car parks in the early evenings as this is when vehicle nuisance and drug usage is at its highest. Events will be held in the car parks to educate the public on dog laws, to reduce incidents involving dogs out of control and livestock worrying.

***Update***

Thanks to high visibility late night patrols by NPT PCSO's, incidents of fires and anti-social behaviour have decreased. This has been assisted by the end of the summer and the darker nights/colder weather. We will continue to monitor this area as we exit the Autumn.