Suffolk police team bolstered by new arrivals

A police team tasked with fighting rural and wildlife crime has been bolstered by the arrival of a new member and drone-carrying vehicle.

PC Colin Taylor will join the Rural and Wildlife Crime team, led by Sgt Brian Calver, in offering support to other officers who may need help in dealing with crimes based around rural or wildlife matters.

PC Taylor's position was made available after extra funding from an increase in council tax from this financial year.

"I have always enjoyed the outdoor life and grew up in a farm working family, and in my early 20s I worked in farming full time before joining the police 17 and a half years ago," PC Taylor said.

He said he was 'passionate' about the countryside and the 'rural way of life' and was looking forward to engaging with the rural community.

The team has also gained access to a new 4x4 vehicle which will be used to carry a drone.

The drone will be used to help with a number of crimes such as hare coursing, missing person searches and detecting large-scale fires.

It comes alongside the work the team is already doing to establish links within the community, whether that be with farmers and landowners in rural locations or wildlife agencies and other neighbouring police forces.

Rob Jones, assistant chief constable, said: "To be able to provide this drone vehicle will enhance our ability to swiftly get to incidents that are based around rural or wildlife issues.

"I am confident that it will make a significant contribution to our work with partners to keep our rural communities safe."