Safe transport of animals under the spotlight

Livestock haulage came under the spotlight of West Mercia Police this month in a bid to engage with and reassure rural communities. Run in partnership with Herefordshire Council Animal Health & Welfare Team and Herefordshire Council Community Protection Team, two vehicle checkpoints were set up in Leominster. The police said they stopped around 50 agricultural and livestock vehicles, trade vans and dropside lorries so that partner agencies could check them for valid licences and roadworthiness.

The Leominster Safer Neighbourhood Team officers also checked vehicle and driver documentation, and confirmed the legitimate ownership of trailers being pulled and plant machinery being carried. Animal welfare officers checked documentation for livestock on board and the suitability of vehicles being used to transport them, while the enforcement teams looked at scrap and waste carriers and looked out for fly-tipping offences.

Sergeant Nicola Holgate of Leominster SNT said: “Our objective was engagement first and enforcement where necessary. Most people stopped were happy to see us as some had themselves fallen victim to rural crimes such as stolen machinery and plant, or livestock theft.”