KNUTSFORD Police have pledged to crackdown harder on rural crime and provide better protection for residents in small countryside communities.

As part of the police’s 100 days of action on rural crime, ‘Operation Leviathan’ the largest multi-agency scheme to target illegal fishing and theft is currently being implemented across the region.

The operation has seen Knutsford Police team up with the Environmental Agency to reduce anti-social behaviour in rural communities.

The two forces have come together with local residents to find out more about commonly witnessed crimes in the countryside.

PC Jim Day, rural crime and wildlife officer, has been working on Operation Leviathan with the Agency.

He said: “Operation Leviathan is about the police helping those in rural areas. We are supporting the Environment Agency with their work but we are doing our job alongside them to combat anti-social behavior.

“It is a two-pronged attack on rural crime. We have said that we will visit every victim of crime and that’s what we are doing.

“We want to ensure to catch all kinds of criminal.”

Over the past two weeks the teams have been patrolling rural communities in Knutsford, Wilmslow, Congleton and Pickmere to target unlicensed fishing, poaching and a whole host of anti-social behaviour.

During Operation Leviathan, high visibility patrols have been conducted, trespassers removed from private land and a locking knife was seized from a man acting aggressively.

Katy Barton from the Environment Agency said: “This operation has been extremely well supported by the angling clubs and fishing community, who were reassured by our presence.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the angling and rural communities for their support.”

Knutsford Police are focusing on a number of anti-social criminal offences which affect not only residents, but also farmers, owners of small rural businesses, and fishermen who have paid for licenses who are having their sport interrupted by law-breakers.

The anti-social behavior can range from drinking or drug taking in rural areas, to thefts of livestock and farming vehicles.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer reiterates his priority for Rural Crime saying;

“Crime affecting rural communities should never be underestimated and is why I have made it a priority in my Police & Crime Plan. Suspicious or unusual activity should never be ignored.”

Operation Leviathan has so far received positive feedback from the rural communities, with one rural family commenting, ‘poachers cost us a lot of money over time. Well done guys.’

Chief Inspector Heath, Rural Crime Lead says: “We are specifically highlighting the good work our rural officers already do with this initiative to remind those living in rural areas that we’re not just here for our towns and cities; rural crime is just as important to us.”