We urge public to speak up about rural crime as reports given to us rise

We have launched a new campaign across Gloucestershire encouraging people to speak up about those responsible for harming the countryside. 

For the year 2023-2024, there was a staggering 122% rise in reports about environmental and wildlife crime in Gloucestershire given to our charity compared to the year 2022-2023.

We are asking the public to spot the signs of rural crime and to give us information 100% anonymously.
 
Organised gangs steal machinery and target wildlife to fund their other criminal activities or to launder money. 
 
Whilst the volume of crime is lower than in urban areas, the consequences and impact within a rural community can be much deeper, both on victims, the environment and the community as a whole.
 
Crimestoppers is independent of the police and gives the public an alternative option to pass on what they know about crime whilst never giving any personal details. We never ask for your personal details, just what you know about crime. 

The key crimes experienced in Gloucestershire’s rural areas include:

• Burglary
• Theft of farm equipment, vehicles and machinery 
• Livestock-related crimes including theft and dog attacks 
• Fly-tipping and industrial waste dumping 
• County Lines drug gangs
• Cuckooing (drug gangs taking over the homes of vulnerable people)
• Hare coursing and badger baiting 
• Fuel theft – domestic and commercial 
• Heritage & cultural property crime including illegal metal detecting 
• Wildlife crime 
• Arson

“Our charity is well aware of how damaging crime in the countryside can be, causing harm to families, communities, farmers, rural businesses, wildlife and the local environment. We hear from people every day who tell us about those individuals involved in fly-tipping, theft, drug and wildlife crime. 
 
“We also know that organised crime gangs think nothing of harming our local wildlife, environment and communities, putting those who live and work in the countryside under threat. Rural communities and businesses are often aware that criminal activity is happening, but for a variety of reasons they may not want to talk to the police; that’s why the existence and availability of our anonymous service is so important. 
 
“By telling Crimestoppers what you know whilst staying completely anonymous, whether you live in or are visiting a rural area in Gloucestershire, we can all make a difference.”
 
Beth Simpson, Crimestoppers Regional Manager

To report rural crime 100% anonymously, fill in a secure online form or call our 24/7 UK Contact Centre on 0800 555 111, 365 days of the year. In an emergency, always call 999.
 
You can use the free what3words app to report the exact location of an incident. The words can either be copied and pasted into our Crimestoppers rural crime form or a Crimestoppers  Contact Centre agent can be told over the phone when you call to give information anonymously.
 
Please note: Computer IP addresses are never traced and no-one will ever know you contacted us. For telephone calls, there is no caller line display, no 1471 facility and our charity has never traced a call.

Find out more about this campaign.