A JOINT police operation targeting rural crime on the Powys border last week resulted in the recovery of a stolen quad bike and the arrest of three males.

Dyfed Powys Police Chief Inspector Jacqui Lovatt said the men were caught following a collaborative crime operation with West Mercia Police after a burglary had occurred at a farm in Herefordshire on Friday, March 4. She said motorists in Powys and Hereford were stopped by police officers later that day, which eventually led to the recovery of the stolen quad bike.

“On Friday, March 4, officers from Dyfed Powys Police and West Mercia Police carried out a joint acquisitive crime operation on the Powys-Herefordshire border,” said Chief Insp Lovatt.

“A total of 45 officers and staff were involved, targeting cross-border thieves. A farm quad bike was recovered and three males were arrested in Herefordshire following a farm burglary.”

The operation also included the raising of awareness of rural crimes, including farm thefts, with police speaking to the owners of five farms in Powys who have previously suffered at the hands of burglars.

“Repeat victims had properties target-hardened by community police officers, while elderly people were visited regarding doorstep, online and phone scams,” added Chief Insp Lovatt.

“There was increased awareness around crime prevention. Talgarth and Builth Wells farmers markets were visited by the rural crime team and local neighbourhood policing teams. Five Powys farms who were previously victims of crime were visited and a full crime prevention assessment was undertaken.

“It was a general targeting day. Officers stopped lots of cars and crime prevention work was done with farms who’d been targeted before.

“As a result of this operation, a stolen quad bike was recovered and three males were arrested in Herefordshire.”

In addition, Chief Insp Lovatt confirmed that a number of other traffic offences were identified and people were prosecuted – this included some vehicles being seized.

Teams involved the Herefordshire dog section, road policing units, neighbourhood policing teams, an armed response vehicle, Dyfed Powys’ rural crime team and force intelligence bureaus.