Sussex Police have warned criminals are stealing beloved pets from families to exploit them for gain. Of the 31 dog thefts recorded in 2020, seven were reunited with their owners after being found nearby or at a vets. The force has warned that pets are sometimes sold for inflated prices or bred for financial gain. Earlier this week, The Argus reported on claims that dogwalkers were being followed by men in a “pick up truck” in an attempt to steal their animals. One Facebook user claimed that a man jumped out of the vehicle with a “dog lead” in his hand. Sussex Police said it is aware of the social media posts but said that reports of dog theft remain “thankfully” low in Sussex.
Sussex Police warning pet owners over dog thefts
Sussex Police is taking action to prevent dog theft as soaring prices for pets during lockdown has seen a rise in theft nationally.
Friday, 29th January 2021, 7:05 am
The force said its dedicated Rural Crime Team (RCT) is tackling this crime by working closely with partner agencies, gathering intelligence and highlighting crime prevention among the dog-owning community.
Reports of dog theft are relatively low in Sussex, the force said, but police are asking dog owners to take necessary steps to keep them safe.
Sussex Police recorded 31 dog thefts in 2020, but at least 12 of those were disputes over dog ownership between known parties.
Police Using Licence Plate-Reading Cameras to Monitor Drivers
13 Jan 2021
An English police force is using licence plate recognition technology to monitor drivers and make sure they are only making “essential” journeys during the third Chinese coronavirus lockdown.
According to the UK’s National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) is used to “disrupt criminality” and track travelling “criminals, Organised Crime Groups, and terrorists”.
Devon and Cornwall Police’s ‘crime tsar’ announced on Monday that the force will be using the technology to check alleged breaches of lockdown. Police and Crime Commissioner Alison Hernandez complained of reports of “hundreds” of “covid breaches” when Britons from other parts of the country travelled to their second homes in the West Country.
LEVEL 5: Gardai announce extra checkpoints to urge public to comply with strict public health measures
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An Garda Síochána is to introduce a range of additional measures to support the Government’s Level 5 Plan for Living with COVID-19 as announced today.
An Garda Síochána is supporting communities through engagement and ensuring adherence to public health regulations.
The measures announced today include:
- Additional static checkpoints on national routes under Operation Fanacht. These will start from 7am tomorrow and will be supported by the local mobile checkpoints introduced last week.
- Additional re-deployment of Gardaí to the front-line