DYFED-POWYS: Police boost patrols to crackdown on rural crime

The force, covering the largest rural police area in England and Wales, aims to increase officer visibility and engagement, seeking to disrupt criminal activity.

This new approach will see rural crime officers boosting patrols and building stronger relationships with local communities, according to the police.

They will also be offering more crime prevention visits and engaging with residents at local events, building on previous rural crime team patrols designed to protect vulnerable areas.

Inspector Matthew Howells of Dyfed-Powys Police highlighted the issue of under-reported rural crime.

“Rural crime can often go unreported. We want to have a stronger presence, and expand both Farm and Rural Watch, to increase reporting,” Inspector Howells stated.

He added that this increased reporting would provide crucial data to shape patrols and disrupt criminal activity.

Officers will also be promoting property marking and security measures to help residents protect their assets and avoid becoming a victim of vehicle theft.

“We want to reduce repeat victimisation and disrupt criminal activity,” Inspector Howells confirmed.

In 2025, Dyfed-Powys Police recorded 49 reports of livestock theft, a significant concern for farmers.

There were also 42 reports of quad bike theft, a common target for rural criminals.

Heritage crimes, which harm historic sites through activities like illegal metal detecting or off-roading, accounted for 60 reports.

However, the most frequently reported crime was livestock worrying, with 60 incidents recorded throughout 2025.

Chief Constable Ifan Charles recently met with members of the farming community to discuss the new strategy.

He was joined by Police and Crime Commissioner Dafydd Llywelyn and the rural crime team at a farm belonging to Anwen Hughes, regional vice-president of the Farmers’ Union of Wales.

The meeting also addressed updates to livestock worrying laws, a topic of great importance to the farming community.

Anwen Hughes shared her recent experience of losing three lambs due to a livestock attack, underscoring the devastating impact of such incidents.

Chief Constable Ifan Charles emphasised the profound effect these crimes have on rural communities.

“The impact these crimes have on rural communities can’t be underestimated. People’s livelihoods and homes are intertwined,” Chief Constable Charles said.

He stressed that the new strategy prioritises the needs of rural residents.

“The new strategy puts people in the rural communities at its heart,” he added.

Protecting vast rural areas presents unique challenges compared to urban environments, the Chief Constable noted.

“Our rural crime teams will work with people to understand the challenges and keep them safe,” Chief Constable Charles concluded.

Residents are being urged to report rural, wildlife, and heritage crime by calling 101 or using the online reporting tool on the Dyfed-Powys Police website.

And in other news, here is a fresh story about #HeritageCrime #HeritageVandalism in our immediate neighbourhood. When they say that Wales is the playground of English tourism, it's not really logical, because you wouldn't treat a playground as a trash dump, would you?

#Tourism #Wales #Heritage #IndustrialHeritage

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-68660455

So last night I learned that some pieces of World Cultures jewellery got stolen from a museum I used to work at and I'm oddly upset about it.

I didn't expect such an emotional response to seeing items I'd held, condition checked, packed, and done light work on go missing.

Has anyone else had this weird vibe? I see #HeritageCrime reported all the time but this was my first gut-punch reaction (there was anger too, of course).

😕

#museums #conservators #theft #crime #collections