Rosie attends the Kent Police Rural Crime Conference

Rosie Duffield MP recently attended the Kent Police Rural Crime Conference to hear speakers including Chief Constable Tim Smith and Kent Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Scott talk about efforts to tackle rural crime across our county.

The conference provided an opportunity to discuss best practice, ask questions and explore how key stakeholders can work together better to better prevent and detect crime.

Rosie caught up with representatives from the National Farmers Union, including our local rep Amanda, and the Environment Agency. One of the biggest issues of concern for farmers in Canterbury is Hare Coursing - the illegal pursuit of hares by dogs, usually accompanied by gambling.

I am extremely concerned about the high number of incidents in our area, and how this crime has been affecting our rural communities. I welcome Kent Police's commitment to invest in every part of our community, not just urban areas, especially considering they are the 6th lowest budget police force in the country with successive Governments giving high priority to urban areas.

Rosie will be raising her concerns around lack of funding for Kent Police and the issues of hare coursing, fly tipping and plant theft with Government.