Police Commissioner funds first-of-its-kind community drone pilot to crack down on rural crime

A pioneering drone pilot funded by Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones is helping rural communities and police work together to tackle crime across Hampshire.

Trained community volunteers can now be deployed by the police control room to provide drone support to live incidents in rural areas.

The drones will support police responding to offences such as hare coursing, poaching and burglaries, while helping gather evidence and improve intelligence from local communities.

The pilot currently involves five volunteers who have completed a bespoke drone operators’ course, with plans to expand the scheme in the future.

The launch of the pilot marks Rural Crime Action Week (Sept 8 – Sept 12).

The project has been funded by Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones, Test Valley Borough Council and the North Wessex Downs National Landscapes’ Farming in Protected Landscapes programme.

Donna Jones, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, said: “Rural crime is a blight on businesses and rural communities across our two counties.

“I am pleased to fund this drone pilot, which will help rural communities, landowners, farmers and the police work together to prevent crime.

“The drones are a great asset for rural communities. They offer a sustainable and proactive approach to tackling rural crime, which is often linked to organised crime.

“This pilot will improve the intelligence police receive and, in turn, the police response to reported incidents. If it is successful, I will roll it out across the whole police force area.

“This project will strengthen policing in rural areas alongside two other initiatives I launched, the Rural Crime Task Force and the EyesOn digital crime reporting app.”

Inspector Stu Ross, who has been leading the project, said: “Rural criminals cause continued misery to farmers, landowners, gamekeepers and estate owners across the county, and indeed across the country. It’s crucial that we all come together as a police service, as a partnership and as a community to tackle this.

“That’s why we have introduced this innovative project which enables us to bring the community into the heart of rural policing.

“I am incredibly grateful for the volunteers we have recruited so far, who are lending their skills to pilot drones and assist officers on the ground dealing with crimes in action.

“These skills will complement the existing technology we have in our arsenal to combat rural crime such as police drones, mobile ANPR cameras and trail cameras, in addition to the expertise we have in our Country Watch Rural Crime Task Force which is made up of officers and staff with specialist qualifications and knowledge in matters including the identification of stolen plant, heritage crime and wildlife crime.”

Richard Clarke, Chair of the North Wessex Downs National Landscapes Farming in Protected Landscapes Panel, said: “Farming in Protected Landscapes is about enabling farmers to thrive while protecting the special places they manage. This innovative project empowers local communities to support farming by helping tackle rural and wildlife crime and anti-social behaviour, creating a safer environment for farmers, the local community and wildlife.”

Test Valley Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for community led projects, Councillor Stewart MacDonald; “We’re proud to support this innovative project, which brings together local volunteers, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary and partner organisations in a new way.

“Strong communities are built on people working together, and this initiative shows how local knowledge, technology and community spirit can combine to support our rural areas. The volunteers taking part are making a valuable contribution, helping to strengthen links between residents and the police while supporting efforts to protect and preserve our countryside.

“Investing in projects like this helps build safer, more connected communities and demonstrates what can be achieved when organisations and local people work towards a shared goal.”

The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) has contributed £25,400 from her Rural Initiative Fund to help tackle rural crime in the Test Valley.

Test Valley Borough Council have match funded the Commissioner’s contribution and the Farming in Protected Landscape Grants have provided £34,158.05 to get the project off the ground.