Police plan to crack down on rural crime in Cleveland
Date of alert:
Sunday 10 July 2022
Crime Ref:
Force:
Cleveland Police
Police have revealed more information on plans to crack down on rural crime.
At a meeting of the Tees Rural Crime Forum, Chief Inspector Jon Hagen of Cleveland's Neighbourhood Policing Team, described how police will focus on the issue.
Ch Insp Hagen, who is the force's lead officer on rural crime, introduced PC Lee Mapplebeck as rural crime co-ordinator, and said that although the changes would take some time, police would fast-track their efforts.
In the meantime, a policy strategy will be submitted to the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable.
He announced the formation of a Tactical Rural Crime Team involving the Special Constabulary, aided by Neighbourhood Policing Teams. This would also include community volunteers, who already provide much information.
The Special Constables would be recruited from the community to be part of this Tactical Team, with ten officers north of the River Tees and ten south, supplemented by the team of rural volunteers under Karel Simpson. Five Specials are currently undergoing training and a further 20-plus are going through the selection process, following a recruitment drive. The first batch would probably be available in August/September.
