Police commissioner calls for smarter use of technology against rural crime

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 04:02 · Archive

Hampshire and Isle of Wight's Police and Crime Commissioner is calling for greater use of technology to combat organised crime in rural areas.

Donna Jones, Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and Isle of Wight, has told the Home Affairs Committee that rural communities face growing threats from organised gangs who exploit isolated locations for a range of criminal activities including large-scale machinery theft, drug production and storage, gun smuggling, fly-tipping, poaching and human exploitation.

Jones said police cannot solve the problem through officer numbers alone. 'We are never going to have enough police officers to target this. It's about working smarter, not harder,' she said. She highlighted that technology is key to disrupting organised crime in rural areas, noting that policing across the UK has been 'a bit slow' in exploiting technology in rural communities, though larger forces like Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are already seeing results.

Her office has funded mobile deployable CCTV cameras for landowners and farmers and launched a new community drone pilot last month. The drone pilot allows trained volunteers to support police with live aerial footage during incidents. Jones emphasised that partnership working and community engagement are essential, saying rural residents are generally more willing to work with police than those in urban areas.

How it is being reported

• Rural crime threat prompts call for smarter policingA Police and Crime Commissioner has highlighted the need for smarter policing to tackle organised crimeSouthern Daily Echo · 16 Oct, 03:30
• Police and Crime Commissioner calls for police to 'work smarter' with technology to combat rural crime gangsShe said policing has been ‘a bit slow’ to use technologyThe News, Portsmouth · 15 Oct, 10:34

In this story: Donna Jones · Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police and Crime Commissioner · Home Affairs Committee · Hampshire · Isle of Wight

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