Police learn new skills at farm academy

The event, which brought together landowners, farmers and the county police, was organised by the Dorset branch of the CLA and supported by the NFU.

Some 50 officers, including inspectors, sergeants, constables and community support officers, from all over the county attended the two morning briefings at Slepe Farm, home of Dorset CLA vice-chairman James Selby Bennett.

The sessions included practical experience of handling agricultural machinery and livestock as well as offering officers an insight into wildlife and habitat management issues.

 “This is the first time an event like this has been held and the feedback from all involved has been so positive that we believe other forces would benefit from following the Dorset example,” said Mr Selby Bennett.

The aim of the joint CLA/NFU presentation was to provide officers with a better understanding of the issues facing modern farming and rural businesses and to offer an insight into the work and aspirations of Dorset’s rural community. 

The initiative followed a meeting with the Rural Community Confidence Forum led by Inspector Shawn Whitley earlier this year. Mr Selby Bennett said the key point was for people to recognise of the importance of enabling police officers and PCSOs to forge links with the rural community in order to promote reassurance and provide the quality of service needed by every section of the community.

Representatives from the CLA and NFU came together on the first day to explane modern farming techniques across all sectors of the industry and Neil Martin, of Dorset County Council Trading Standards Office, explained current animal welfare and animal tagging and tracing requirements. 

There was also a farm visit, during which the officers were able to test their skills at driving agricultural vehicles including tractors and loaders, trailers and ploughs and to experience herding and handling cattle. 

The second session dealt with horse riding and equine matters, shooting, fishing, biodiversity, and environmental protection and was designed to inform the police officers of the importance of these activities in the countryside and to the rural community.

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