Lancashire Police are holding a rural crime roadshow in Whitestake and Longton this October.

From 29 September to 7 October, the South Rural Taskforce will visit villages and rural areas, inviting farming and rural communities to meet the team.

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Visitors can have their farming equipment marked and receive general rural crime prevention advice to keep residents and property safe.

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The roadshow will focus on property marking rural equipment, including GPS systems and plant machinery, but police said owners must provide proof of ownership.

Rural, Wildlife and Heritage Crime Officer, PC Paddy Stewart said: “74 per cent of Lancashire is rural, so it’s important to us that we police these areas effectively. 

“Rural crime covers an array of subjects, from hare coursing, badger baiting, through to plant, machinery and GPS theft. All of these have a massive impact on the farming communities. Talking to residents in rural areas is key to our success. We want communities to tell us what their issues and concerns are.

“Criminals from outside of Lancashire target these areas. We are working closely with partners and other forces to ensure information is shared and acted upon to bring serious repeat offenders to justice.”

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The Rural Taskforce was set up in March 2021, with 20 officers dedicated to rural communities across Lancashire. The officers will provide extra resources to target, disrupt and address crime in rural communities.

Since its inception, the South Rural Taskforce has recovered more than 152 stolen vehicles, pieces of farm machinery, plant and equipment, prosecuted more than 54 rural offenders and conducted 66 operations with partners.

The mobile police station will visit the following locations from 10am to 3pm:

• 29 September – Haskayne Village Hall Car Park, School Lane, Ormskirk 
• 30 September – Car park to the rear of Marks Square, Tarleton
• 1 October – NFU Skelmersdale, Centenary House, 3C Maple Court, While Moss Business Park, Skelmersdale
• 2 October – Rivington Lane car park – also known as Noel House Car park, Rivington, Chorley
• 4 October – Corner House, Wrightington Bar, Wigan
• 5 October – Duxbury’s, Chain House Lane, Whitestake, Preston
• 6 October – St. Andrew’s Church Hall Car Park, Liverpool Road, Longton, Preston
• 7 October – Whittingham Sports and Social Club, Old Whittingham Hospital Grounds, Whittingham

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