Around 70 farmers, landowners and game keepers from Royston and surrounding areas attended a rural crime prevention event in North Herts.
Hosted by the Herts Police Rural Operational Support Team (ROST), the National Farmers Union (NFU) and officers from the Royston Safer Neighbourhood Team, the event took place at Hyde Hall Farm in Sandon earlier this month.
PCSO Chris Braybrook, from the Royston Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "Following a number of thefts from farms in the area at the end of last year, in which farm equipment, trailers and vehicles were stolen from locations around Baldock and Royston, we decided to organise an event in which farmers and landowners had access to specific crime prevention advice and help, all in one place.
"Fortunately, we were able to recover many of the stolen items, but we wanted to try and help farmers and landowners keep their property as secure as possible, to try and prevent further thefts."
Organisations specialising in crime prevention equipment such as CCTV and tracing systems were invited to attend, along with representatives from the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NVCIS).
Each organisation gave a short presentation to small groups, and the attendees rotated around the different stands.
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"We were delighted by the number of attendees, who came from all over the North Herts area," said Tim Armstrong from ROST.
"The feedback from the event has been really positive. It also allowed us to catch up with our rural community, chat through any issues and share learning."
Rosalind David from the NFU added: "It was a tremendous effort from all parties to bring together this event, which focused on practical and hands on advice with plenty of interaction and discussion.
"The message we wanted to impart was one of prevention and disruption, making equipment or locations difficult to target using cost effective, innovative or technology driven solutions.
"Hopefully the attendees have learnt plenty to put into practice back on the farm, yard or community space people they wish to protect."
Information about rural crime can be reported online at herts.police.uk/report, via online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact or by calling 101.
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