Trailer theft has halved in Herefordshire following successful covert operations carried out by officers in Hereford’s Rural and Business Crime team.
This Rural Crime Week of Action, police are reminding farmers and livestock handlers to record serial numbers and mark their property as this deters thieves and helps to recover items if a crime should happen.
The advice comes as new statistics show that from April to December 2022 there were 63 offences in ten months. This has since halved when compared to the period from January 2023 to today where there were 31 offences.
Police Sergeant Nick Green, of the Herefordshire Problem Solving Hub, said: “The reduction in trailer thefts is a great result and is thanks to our partnership work and continued policing efforts.
“But we are not complacent and yesterday (Monday 18 September) we were out in Ross on Wye as part of our regular ongoing operations to tackle rural and business crime.
“We called in at the Ross Auction Section to attend the sheep and cattle sales, offering advice to traders.
“Patrols of the M50 and A40 were also conducted yesterday to look out for more stolen trailers and check vehicles, followed by a property marking exercise with SmartWater.”
