POLICE DETAILS
Avon and Somerset Constabulary - Frome Rural South Neighbourhood

Hare coursing involves setting two running dogs onto a brown hare. The dogs compete by chasing the hare, judged on how closely they follow its twists and turns — often ending in the hare being caught and killed.

Gambling is frequently involved. The dogs are not just hunting — they’re competing.

This is illegal, causes immense suffering, and poses a serious threat to our wildlife and rural communities.

If you witness hare coursing in progress, call 999 immediately.
For non-urgent reports, call 101 or report online:
Avon and Somerset Police – Report rural or wildlife crime

Help us protect our countryside.

In recent weeks, we’ve seen an increase in reports from members of the public about suspicious activity in their communities. We want to express our sincere appreciation for these reports, as some of the information provided has been vital in helping us develop intelligence.
Please continue to report any concerns to us:

Call 999 if the incident is happening right now.
Report online via https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/report/rural-or-wildlife-crime.

Your vigilance makes a real difference in keeping our communities safe.

 Rural Crime Alert – Help Us Protect Our Farming Community

Sadly, our farmers continue to be targeted by increasingly sophisticated criminals, who are not deterred by time of day — thefts are happening both day and night.

We ask everyone to stay vigilant and report anything that looks suspicious. Your awareness could make a real difference.

To our farming community:
Please keep an eye on our social media channels for upcoming events where you can have your trailers marked for free. These events are a great way to deter theft and improve traceability.

In the meantime, we encourage you to visit the DATATAG website for more information on security products and services that can help protect your equipment.

Let’s work together to keep our rural areas safe.

Fly?tipping in Our Local Area

We continue to see incidents of fly?tipping across our rural communities. This causes damage to the environment, affects local landowners and places a significant burden on councils and taxpayers.

What is fly?tipping?
Fly?tipping is the illegal dumping of waste on land or water, in breach of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Commonly dumped items include household furniture, tyres, black bin bags, building materials, hazardous waste and abandoned shopping trolleys.

Penalties for fly?tipping:
• Fines of up to £50,000 and up to 12 months’ imprisonment for a summary conviction
• Unlimited fines and up to five years’ imprisonment if the case goes to Crown Court

How to Report Fly?tippingIf the incident is happening at the time:
Call 101. If safe to do so, record:
• Vehicle make, model and registration
• Descriptions of anyone involved

If the fly?tipping has already occurred:
• On private land: report to the police using the online crime/incident reporting form or by visiting a police station
• On public land: report to your local council

Your reports help us take action and protect our countryside. Thank you for supporting efforts to keep our parish clean and safe.

 Rural Crime Alert – Help Us Protect Our Farming Community

Sadly, our farmers continue to be targeted by increasingly sophisticated criminals, who are not deterred by time of day — thefts are happening both day and night.

We ask everyone to stay vigilant and report anything that looks suspicious. Your awareness could make a real difference.

To our farming community:
Please keep an eye on our social media channels for upcoming events where you can have your trailers marked for free. These events are a great way to deter theft and improve traceability.

In the meantime, we encourage you to visit the DATATAG website for more information on security products and services that can help protect your equipment.

Let’s work together to keep our rural areas safe.

PCSO Louise visited Standerwick Market, Frome, on 21st January to engage with members of the public, including those from the local and wider farming communities. These visits provide a valuable opportunity to discuss current issues or concerns and to offer support, advice, and crime?prevention guidance where possible.

The Frome Neighbourhood Policing Team aims to attend the market on Wednesdays as often as operationally possible. If you see us there, please do come and say hello — we’re always happy to chat.

Community Speed Watch – Could You Help Keep Our Roads Safer?

Our Community Speed Watch (CSW) Area Organiser has recently received a welcome increase in applications from several local parishes. This is fantastic progress for improving road safety across our communities.

However, a number of villages still have no active CSW volunteers. A regular CSW presence has been shown to reduce vehicle speeds, encourage safer driving, and support the wellbeing of residents."A visible Speed Watch team genuinely slows drivers down – your involvement can make a real difference."

If you’re interested in volunteering or would like to learn more about how CSW works, you can find full details and register here:
? https://communityspeedwatch.org/FRONT-v2-Register.php

How Community Speed Watch Works

• When CSW volunteers record a speeding vehicle, the registered keeper receives a written advisory notice.
• Should the same vehicle be recorded three times, a PCSO or Police Constable will make a follow‑up visit to discuss the issue directly.
• A record of this visit is then kept on file.

The Frome Neighbourhood PCSOs have conducted several visits to individuals who have been identified driving at excessive speeds by Community Speed Watch (CSW) schemes and who have subsequently received CSW warning letters. The purpose of these visits is to deliver key road safety messages, support drivers with coping strategies, and encourage the development of safe and responsible driving behaviours. These visits are often received positively, with members of the public welcoming the informal reminder and engagement.

Quick Reporting Guide: Suspected Abandoned, Untaxed or Uninsured Vehicles

We’re receiving increased reports of nuisance, abandoned, untaxed and uninsured vehicles in the Frome rural area.

Quick Reporting Guide: Suspected Abandoned, Untaxed or Uninsured Vehicles

How to Report

• 999– Crime in progress / immediate danger
• 101– Non‑emergency concerns or suspicious vehicles
• Online: www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/report
• NPT Contact: Message the Frome Neighbourhood Policing Team via the A&S Police website for non‑urgent advice

We would like to thank members of the public for reporting concerns regarding untaxed vehicles. These reports have enabled Neighbourhood Officers to take positive and proportionate action, including speaking with registered keepers and, in some cases, lawfully seizing vehicles where appropriate. Public support and intelligence continue to play a vital role in helping us keep our communities safe.

Fly‑tipping in Our Local Area

We continue to see incidents of fly‑tipping across our rural communities. This causes damage to the environment, affects local landowners and places a significant burden on councils and taxpayers.

What is fly‑tipping?
Fly‑tipping is the illegal dumping of waste on land or water, in breach of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Commonly dumped items include household furniture, tyres, black bin bags, building materials, hazardous waste and abandoned shopping trolleys.

Penalties for fly‑tipping:
• Fines of up to £50,000 and up to 12 months’ imprisonment for a summary conviction
• Unlimited fines and up to five years’ imprisonment if the case goes to Crown Court

How to Report Fly‑tippingIf the incident is happening at the time:
Call 101. If safe to do so, record:
• Vehicle make, model and registration
• Descriptions of anyone involved

If the fly‑tipping has already occurred:
• On private land: report to the police using the online crime/incident reporting form or by visiting a police station
• On public land: report to your local council

Your reports help us take action and protect our countryside. Thank you for supporting efforts to keep our parish clean and safe.

Quick Reporting Guide: Suspected Abandoned, Untaxed or Uninsured Vehicles

We’re receiving increased reports of nuisance, abandoned, untaxed and uninsured vehicles in the Frome rural area.

Quick Reporting Guide: Suspected Abandoned, Untaxed or Uninsured Vehicles

How to Report

• 999– Crime in progress / immediate danger
• 101– Non‑emergency concerns or suspicious vehicles
• Online: www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/report
• NPT Contact: Message the Frome Neighbourhood Policing Team via the A&S Police website for non‑urgent advice

We would like to thank members of the public for reporting concerns regarding untaxed vehicles. These reports have enabled Neighbourhood Officers to take positive and proportionate action, including speaking with registered keepers and, in some cases, lawfully seizing vehicles where appropriate. Public support and intelligence continue to play a vital role in helping us keep our communities safe.

The Frome Neighbourhood Policing Team have received a number of reports relating to motoring offences in recent weeks. Common issues include vehicles being driven or ridden on public roads without valid insurance, road tax, or MOT.

Our local officers will continue to respond to reports and carry out intelligence-led patrols to identify and deal with illegal vehicles. If you are aware of any concerns or ongoing issues in your area, please report them:

• Call 999 in an emergency
• Call 101 for non-emergency matters

Our local officers will continue to respond to reports and carry out intelligence-led patrols to identify and deal with illegal vehicles.
If you are aware of any concerns or ongoing issues in your area, please report them:

Call 999 in an emergency
Call 101 for non-emergency matters

Your information helps us keep our roads safe.

We are aware of concerns regarding drug use and suspected drug dealing in some of the rural areas and are working to identify those involved and take appropriate action.

We encourage residents to report suspicious activity such as frequent short visits to an address, people exchanging items or cash in public places, unusual vehicle movements, strong smells of cannabis, or groups regularly gathering in locations where drug use or dealing is suspected. Even small pieces of information can help us build an intelligence picture and take action.

Reports can be made via 101, online, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Working together, we can help keep our communities safe.

Rural Crime – Please Report Suspicious Activity

Rural crime continues to have a significant impact on our farming and countryside communities. Offences such as poaching, hare coursing, and the theft of farm equipment or livestock can cause major disruption, financial loss, and emotional distress.

A key challenge is that many incidents go unreported. Members of the public may assume a vehicle in a field belongs to a farmer or contractor, or that someone walking dogs across farmland is simply exercising them. In some cases, however, this behaviour may be linked to illegal hunting or poaching.

Why Reporting Matters

Every report helps us build a clearer picture of what is happening across our rural areas. Even small or seemingly harmless incidents may be crucial for identifying patterns, directing patrols, or supporting future policing operations.

Your reports directly help the rural crime team tackle:

• Hare coursing and deer poaching
• Theft of machinery, tools, diesel, and livestock
• Damage to crops, fences, and gates
• Suspicious vehicles or unknown individuals on farmland

Please report anything that seems unusual, such as:

• Vehicles driving slowly, parked in remote areas, or positioned overlooking fields
• People watching livestock, farm buildings, or fields without a clear reason
• Dogs being used to chase wildlife
• Unfamiliar individuals entering fields or woodland without permission

• 999– If a crime is in progress or someone is in immediate danger
• 101– For non‑emergency reports or ongoing suspicious activity
• Online– www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/report