A NEW partnership to tackle rural crime has been launched in Wiltshire.

The partnership brings together representatives from a number of organisations with an interest in tackling rural crime in the county.

The Rural Crime Partnership for Wiltshire and Swindon was established by Wiltshire Police in consultation with the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Wiltshire and Swindon, Angus Macpherson.

It launched with its first meeting at Police Headquarters in Devizes.

The purpose of the partnership is to consolidate local intelligence and make recommendations to Chief Officers and the PCC to inform decisions around preventing and combatting rural criminality.

It will also supply ongoing feedback on the delivery of a rural crime strategy in the area.

Adopting an approach which encourages information sharing amongst partners and volunteers, the Partnership will focus on reducing and preventing rural crime across the county.

The Partnership aims to be a key enabler in ensuring every opportunity is seized to maximise the effect and reach of crime prevention in rural locations.

It will provide coherence, direction and guidance to the delivery of rural policing resources across the county in the context of the Community Policing Model.

The Rural Crime partnership is chaired by superintendent Phil Staynings.

He said: "As head of crime prevention for Wiltshire Police, it is really encouraging to see such a joined up approach to rural crime.

"This new partnership will help improve confidence for those living within rural communities in Wiltshire.

"They should feel empowered to report rural crime to Wiltshire Police and can be reassured that we will act on all information we receive.

"We are committed to reducing offending and re offending in relation to rural crime. This strategy reflects our commitment to tackling rural crime."

Members of the board include representatives from Wiltshire Police, the Wiltshire Rural Crime Team, the National Farmers Union, the Country Landowners Association, the National Gamekeepers Organisation, the Ministry of Defence Salisbury Plain, the Angling Trust.

Also represented are Wiltshire Council, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, the Environment Agency, Wiltshire College and Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon.

Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson said: "I am very encouraged that organisations from across the county have joined together in partnership to focus on rural crime.

"Wiltshire is a rural county so it is important that the operational policing of the area is guided by the knowledge and advice of those organisations working within our communities."