Volunteer drone pilots join fight against rural crime in Hampshire

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary has launched what it believes is the first community drone project of its kind in the country as part of efforts to tackle rural crime.

The pilot scheme will see specially trained community volunteers deployed by the police control room to provide drone support at live incidents across rural Hampshire.

The drones could be used in response to offences including hare coursing, poaching and non-dwelling burglaries.

Police say the technology will also help officers gather evidence and improve information sharing between the force and rural communities.

Five volunteers have been recruited for the initial pilot after completing a bespoke drone operators’ course, with ambitions to recruit more people in the future.

The project has received funding from Test Valley Borough Council, North Wessex Downs National Landscapes Farming in Protected Landscapes and Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones.

Inspector Stu Ross, who is 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, and also to our key partners including the Police and Crime Commissioner, Test Valley Borough Council, North Wessex Downs National Landscapes, and the Country Land & Business Association (CLA).

“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.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said the scheme could be expanded across the force area if the pilot proves successful.

She said: “Rural crime is a blight on business & 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 battling 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 successful I will roll it out across the whole police force area.

“It is an important step to strengthen our policing of rural areas in addition to two other initiatives I launched; the Rural Crime Task Force and the EyesOn digital crime reporting app.”

Test Valley Borough Council is also supporting the scheme.

Councillor Stewart MacDonald, the council’s Portfolio Holder for community led projects, said: “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.”

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.”

The force says the community drones will complement existing measures including police drones, mobile automatic number plate recognition cameras, trail cameras and the specialist Country Watch Rural Crime Task Force.

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