A POLICING team dedicated to tackling rural crime has been awarded for its hard work.

Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team has been recognised by the National Police Chief’s Council for the ‘most innovative partnership to tackle serious and organised acquisitive crime’.

The county force’s assistant chief constable (ACC) Mark Callaghan said it was “an honour” to see the team “recognised for their efforts”.

ACC Callaghan added: “This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team to disrupt serious organised acquisitive crime across Dorset and the wider south west region and I look forward to seeing what they achieve over the coming years.”

Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team was formed in 2016 in a bid to tackle rural crime in the region and grew through investment in 2021.

The unit has worked closely with partner agencies to disrupt criminal networks, experiencing huge success with a cross-border operation which led to the seizure of more than £1m worth of agricultural machinery.

The cost of rural crime in Dorset has also fallen by 28 per cent since 2021, according to a recent report from National Farmers Union Mutual.

Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said the team was “absolutely vital” to the force.

He told the Daily Echo: “When I came to office there was only three officers in the Rural Crime Team, and Dorset is a proudly rural county.

“We have significant players and organised crime groups who actually work in the countryside and we needed a way of tackling them.

“So, the investment was put in, and we now have 18 people in the establishment of the Rural Crime Team, and we are able to take the fight to these organised crime groups.”

Speaking on the award, Mr Sidwick said: “I’d like to thank every member of the team for their continued hard work, it is their passion and determination to tackle rural crime and catch offenders that has led to them winning this award.”

Inspector Rich Jeffery of the Dorset Police Rural Crime Team added: “I am incredibly proud of the work the team have done – and will continue to do. I would like to thank the public for their continued support of the Rural Crime Team.”