Living in the tranquil beauty of Warwickshire, I feel a deep connection to our vast rural landscapes. However, like many residents, I've noticed a worrying trend: the rise in rural crime, ranging from theft of farm equipment to illegal fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour, particularly with off-road motorbikes. These criminal activities not only jeopardise the livelihood of our farmers but also disturb the peace and tranquillity of our countryside.

The Warwickshire Rural Crime Team was equipped with off-road bikes, which enabled them to reach difficult terrains quickly and effectively, pursuing offenders and making arrests. These bikes were instrumental in covering vast rural areas, allowing the police to perform their duties with efficiency and precision.

Rural crime is often perpetrated in secluded and hard-to-reach areas where traditional patrol cars cannot operate effectively. The absence of off-road bikes means that not only response times are slower, but also that many criminals go undetected entirely. Off-road bikes provided a critical advantage, enabling our police force to navigate through fields, woodland, and other challenging terrains, ensuring no part of our region is off-limits to law enforcement.

Statistics from the National Farmers' Union (NFU) reveal that rural crime costs the UK over £40 million annually, with the Midlands being among the most affected regions. By reinstating off-road bikes to Warwickshire Rural Crime Team, we can significantly help reduce crime rates and restore the community's faith in their safety.

Our picturesque countryside should be a haven of safety, not a hideout for criminals. Bringing back off-road bikes will empower our police to respond swiftly, keep up with offenders, and deter criminal activities altogether.

I have already contacted the Police and Crime Commissioner who has advised that the off-road bikes were removed from service due to reaching the end of their usable life.  However, this begs the question, why weren't replacements procured before this point to avoid a resource deficit?

Having also spoken to Officers on the Rural Crime Team, they explained that Warwickshire Police have been offered Surron off-road bikes free of charge, however bureaucracy is preventing this from happening.  This, to me, seems like utter lunacy and focussing their priorities instead on drone technology.

The Officers I spoke to were very open and honest and are just as frustrated as we are that they are unable to fulfill the requirements of their job role effectively.  They are all licensed to ride motorbikes, they have all completed the necessary police training, so why are they being prevented from doing their job?

Additionally, they also explained that before their off-road bike capability had been withdrawn, they were prevented from intercepting offenders.  They also mentioned that they are being prevented from pursuing offenders, possibly through fear of the offender falling off and hurting themselves!

As far as I am concerned, if you play stupid games, you win stupid prizes.  Let the Officers pursue and intercept offenders.  I'd even go so far as to say bolt a bull-bar to the front of their pick up trucks so they can intercept them with that if need be!  If they get hurt, tough!  Other police forces allow it, such as the Met and Thames Valley, so why won't Warwickshire?

Please join me in urging Warwickshire Police and the Chief Constable to take immediate action. Let's equip our rural police force with the tools they need to protect our communities efficiently. Please sign this petition to reinstate off-road bikes to the Warwickshire Rural Crime Team for a safer, more secure county.