Free event to showcase emergency services and efforts to tackle rural and wildlife crime

An event designed to showcase Nottinghamshire Police’s efforts to tackle wildlife and rural crime and bring communities together will return this summer.

Families, farmers and rural communities across the county are invited to learn more about the ongoing work to tackle rural and wildlife crime and demonstrate the force’s effective partnership working.

The free event, which will be held at Rufford Abbey Country Park, near Ollerton, between 10am and 3pm on Saturday, June 29, is open to anyone who wants to learn more about rural life in Nottinghamshire.

First launched in 2022, the inaugural Rural and Wildlife Crime Showcase proved to be a great success – attracting more than 2,000 visitors throughout the day.

Visitors of all ages can also enjoy a range of crime-fighting demonstrations from the force’s drone and off-road bike teams.

Children can also take part in a range of free activities including dusting for fingerprints, trying on police uniforms and infra-red goggles, climbing onto the force’s quad bikes, four-by-fours, off-road bikes, and sitting aboard the search and rescue boat.

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service will also be in attendance with one of their fire engines for visitors to climb aboard, alongside the air ambulance.

Officers from across the force will be joined on the day by partners including the Royal Society of Horses, the National Farmers’ Union, staff from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Nottinghamshire and other organisations.

The Environment Agency will also be attending and bringing a boat and equipment.

Visitors will have the opportunity to speak directly to officers and other partner organisations about key local issues and concerns.

The event aligns with the force’s rural and wildlife crime strategy to engage with rural communities and allocate resources to rural areas.

The rural showcase will feature stalls from different force areas, including the underwater search unit, drone team, off-road bike team, and external partner organisations to help explain where members of the public can assist with issues such as livestock worrying, which can cause sheep to abort their lambs.

Car parking, which costs £6, the café and facilities will be available during the showcase in the beautiful surroundings of the park, which also features a woodland walk.

Rural crime and wildlife partnerships manager Helen Ridley BEM, said: “This event is all about showcasing the hard work that is taking place amongst our rural communities.

“It is also the perfect opportunity for the public to learn more about our partner organisations who help support the police and work alongside us.

“This is a chance for us to engage with the public and provide an opportunity to interact with officers from their area to discuss issues that matter to them.

“The Rural and Wildlife Crime Showcase has proven to be a great success since it was first launched two years ago and supporting our rural communities remains one of our top priorities.

“We have lots of fun activities planned and ways for everyone to get involved, so we’re hoping to make this year our best yet and show we are listening and tackling crime that matters to you.”