TACKLING rural crime and farm theft has been named as a priority by Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Charles.

Mr Charles will host a Wildlife and Rural Crime Summit in South Normanton on 25 September.

The aim is to tackle offences ranging from cruelty to wild animals and theft from Derbyshire farmers and local businesses.
"By holding this event I aim to raise awareness among the police, our partners and the public of the problems and the cruelty that these crimes inflict on our country areas," he said.

Mr Charles pledged to find "multi-agency solutions" to crimes that affect rural communities.
"I want to see a stronger, concerted effort in tackling illegal acts that harm wildlife, our environment and those who are legitimately trying to get on with running their farms and other rural businesses."
The first step towards doing that will be to increase partnership working and establishing more effective methods of gathering and sharing intelligence with the help of the hugely popular FarmWatch and potentially a rural crime network."
A range of associations, groups and partners have been invited present their experiences and knowledge to the conference.

"I hope that together we can begin to shape solutions to an issue that has a significant, detrimental impact on Derbyshire," said Mr Charles.

Delegates to the event will include the NFU, the RSPCA and the RSPB alongside other rural community representatives.

They will consider the implications of rural crime, the cost to farming and the links between wildlife crime and organised crime.