Abergavenny has a new face to tackle rural crime – Community Support Officer Sara Mason.
CSO Sara Mason with local farmer Jim Beavan, star of Lambing Live
CSO Mason is part of the Neighbourhood Team and mostly deals with anti-social behaviour and incidents on the busy weekends and evenings.
In addition to tackling her normal duties, Sara is the Farm and Rural Crime Liaison Officer for the Abergavenny area.
Sara grew up on a family farm and was heavily involved with the Young Farmers Association when she was younger. Sara has seen the impact of rural crime and as a result was keen to be involved in the role.
Sara is a point of contact for farmers and commoners in the Abergavenny area, working closely with PC Rob Maddocks who deals with wildlife crime in Torfaen, Monmouthshire and Blaenau Gwent.
Sara tackles issues such as off road bikes, fly tipping and fly grazing, oil thefts and thefts from farms such as equipment, quad bikes and stock.
She also holds regular surgeries when her shifts allow at the Cattle Market in Abergavenny and holds meetings with the Commoners Association. She also aims to visit local allotments, horse riding centres and caravan parks to discuss any issues or concerns local people have.
CSO Mason explained, ‘For me, dealing with rural crime is more than just my job, I’m passionate about making sure that we have good links with local farmers and countryside businesses.
‘I hope that I can make a difference by making people more aware of how they can protect their property and equipment and being their point of contact with Gwent Police.’
PC Rob Maddocks added, ‘ It’s good for the local farmers and farmers unions in Abergavenny to have a central point of contact like Sara to assist with their problems and listen to their concerns. As well as providing crime prevention advice, Sara will be able to use a multi-agency approach in dealing with any long-term problems that may arise.’
If you would like to contact Sara, please email sara.mason@gwent.pnn.police.uk
You can also find out more about the work of Abergavenny Neighbourhood Team by visiting out website www.gwent.police.uk
