Members of the Dyfed-Powys Police Rural Crime group met to discuss issues affecting farmers in the force area recently.

The group, which consists of Dyfed-Powys Police officers and stakeholders, is part of the strategy to combat rural crime launched by Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llewellyn, at last year’s Winter Fair.

NFU Cymru member Garry Williams, who was instrumental in the setting up of the Rural Crime Strategy group, attended the meeting on Tuesday, May 22, said: “This was the first of what will be quarterly ideas meetings. We met various people from the Dyfed-Powys Police force as well as other members of stakeholder groups who will sit on the board and work together to combat rural crime.

“It really is going to be a working partnership, with the police; crime commissioner and stakeholders, and today’s meeting was extremely productive. We shared ideas and gave the police officers involved hints and tips on what to look for when it comes to rural crime so that if they see someone moving sheep, for example, they know what questions to ask to make sure it is legitimate.

“We also discussed the best ways to keep in touch such as a WhatsApp group, where people in the Carmarthenshire area can post details of any suspicions or any vehicles that might not be legitimate. It means that if someone in the area spots something we don’t like the look of we can quickly share the information to make other members aware so they can take extra precautions.

“Rural crime is something I feel very strongly about and so I am extremely pleased to be able to be part of this strategy group. The threat of rural crime can be very distressing to farmers but I feel we now have the resources to step up the fight and prevent thefts from happening on farms across Carmarthenshire.”

Superintendent Robyn Mason, Dyfed-Powys Police’s lead for rural crime, said: “Tackling rural crime is a priority for the force, and these meetings are just one of the ways we are working with partner agencies to ensure we are doing all we can to keep our remote and rural communities’ safe.

“Earlier this year, we held a strategic meeting at the Dyfed-Powys Police headquarters, and we have had divisional meetings in other parts of the force area. These will be regular meetings where we can discuss new ideas and ways of moving forward.

“As well as these meetings, as outlined in the Rural Crime Strategy, we are investing resources into policing rural crime. The first of our divisional crime teams will be attached to North Wales Police for training from June 11, with the other three divisions being rolled out in turn. Working in this way is a first for both forces and we are looking forward to gaining skills and expertise from North Wales’s well-established rural crime team.”