The operation, led by West Mercia Police and carried out in and around Ross-on-Wye, brought together a range of partner agencies to tackle offences affecting rural communities, motorists, businesses and the environment.

Council officers worked alongside police, HMRC, Gloucestershire Police and other specialist agencies as part of coordinated enforcement activity focusing on vehicle-related offences, waste crime, animal welfare and wider regulatory breaches.

During the operation, Herefordshire Council officers from the Community Protection team carried out checks linked to waste carriers, food safety and livestock transportation. Enforcement action included:

• A £300 fixed penalty notice issued for a waste carrier offence.
• A formal warning issued to a livestock carrier for offences relating to the recording of cattle movements.

The wider operation also resulted in:

• One arrest for suspected drug-driving offences.
• Two vehicles seized for having no insurance.
• 13 drivers reported or processed for traffic offences, including no insurance, vehicle defects, expired MOTs and overloaded vehicles or trailers.
• A £530 HMRC fine issued for illegal red diesel use.

Officers also visited farms across Herefordshire to provide crime prevention advice and distribute security equipment, including padlock kits and SmartWater property-marking kits. Additional engagement activity included road safety checks, community speed enforcement and bike-marking events in local communities.

Charles Yarnold, Head of Regulation and Technical Services at Herefordshire Council, said:

“Working closely with partners such as West Mercia Police is critical in tackling rural crime and protecting our communities.Our Community Protection team plays an important role in addressing environmental and regulatory offences, and this operation demonstrates the strength of a coordinated, multi-agency approach.

“We will continue to support targeted activity like this to ensure those who flout the law are identified and dealt with appropriately.”

Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Roads and Regulatory Services Cllr Barry Durkin said:

“Rural crime can have a significant impact on communities, farmers and businesses across Herefordshire, so it is important that we continue to take proactive action alongside our partners.

“This operation shows the value of agencies working together to target offending, improve road safety and protect our environment and rural communities.

“I would like to thank all the officers and partner organisations involved for their hard work throughout the day.”

While Inspector Billy Keys, from West Mercia Police’s Prevention Hub South, added:

“This was a successful rural crime day of action in south Herefordshire, with vehicles taken off the roads and enforcement action carried out against those breaking the law.

“We also engaged positively with the farming community, offering crime prevention advice and security support.

“Operations like this demonstrate our ongoing commitment to protecting rural communities and we will continue to carry out similar activity in the future.”

Further joint operations are planned as part of ongoing efforts to reduce rural crime and support safer communities across Herefordshire.