Operation Randall

Introduction

Well, another month has flown by and there has been no let-up in the challenging weather we are faced with, or the amount of jobs incoming.

We continue to receive a large number of nest disturbance jobs which is obviously disappointing when our wildlife really needs our help. That said, not all of the reports are always as they seem, but they still have to be investigated all the same.

The fields have turned a much richer green over the past few weeks. The oil seed rape comes to the end of its flowering season with the seed pods starting to appear, just as the winter wheat and barley ears also beginning to show. It will be interesting to see just how good the harvest is. Some rain is often called for at this time to assist in filling the grain, however you cannot forget the unbelievably wet winter they have had to endure!

This month ahead sees us return to the Royal Norfolk Show which is an annual privilege for the team to be invited back to alongside other policing colleagues. Come and say hi if you’re visiting.

June also brings an end to the closed fishing season on the 15th. We will be joining our colleagues from the Environment Agency in checking valid rod licences are in place, more on that later.

As always, if you have any questions, concerns or comments on any issues raised throughout this newsletter, please do contact us via email operationrandall@norfolk.police.uk

Wildlife Crime Update

The last month has continued in a similar vein as the previous month, with lots of calls around nesting birds and the actions of a few who are disturbing them. It is a criminal offence to disturb any nesting bird and all work including hedge cutting where possible should be avoided until after the nesting season to prevent harm.

Sadly, I had a first this past month, with a report of a laser being used to disturb the peregrines on Cromer church. The laser was shone into the box, not once but twice, disturbing the female, causing her to clamber over her last remaining chick and fly off. She left the nest for several hours, but thankfully her maternal instinct clearly kicked in as she did eventually return. The chick seems none the worse.

**UPDATE**

After this newsletter was written the male involved ‘handed himself in’ and the following update has been made available:

The suspect who disturbed the nesting Peregrines identified himself at Cromer Police Station on Saturday 1 June.

The man aged in his 40s and from the Cromer area apologised and said it was a genuine mistake.

The incident was dealt with by way of a community resolution and it was agreed the laser would be destroyed, the man would make a donation to the Peregrine Project, and that he would engage in a formal discussion with a  police officer about the safe use of lasers.

Officers have also dealt with a young teenager who was using an air rifle at wild birds. The teenager has been dealt with on a local level. This is a concerning trend being seen across the country in urban areas, with ongoing work at a national level to tackle the issue with potential legislation changes in the future. As a force we will always take appropriate action and deal with those involved, such incidents can also effect individuals should they wish to apply for shotgun or firearms licences in the future.  

What is happening in the countryside in June?

Livestock farms will be as busy as ever this month with several having the added pressures of agricultural shows including the Royal Norfolk Show (we’ve already had several shows locally including the Suffolk show). They will be spending days preening and washing the stock ahead of showing them in the ring over the two-day spectacle. These show prizes can carry significant importance as they can add value to the stock for breeding purposes. If you get a chance to visit the livestock rings, spend some time watching these stockmen showing their stock off. It takes months of training, cleaning and trimming to get them looking as good as they do and is a great opportunity to see the many different breeds and their unique features.

These agricultural shows are also a lifeline to rural communities. They bring large numbers of likeminded individuals together, who are often from isolated backgrounds, for a few days enjoying each other’s company, sharing ideas and stories. They have been a long-held tradition for hundreds of years.

Many of the sheep flocks in the fields will start to look a little more naked this month as shearing gets under way, I have already seen some and they looked as though they were praying for the sun to shine. In truth, sheared sheep can withstand very cold temperatures perfectly happily. Shearing is a costly business these days, the value of wool is very poor and it doesn’t even cover the cost of shearing. The shearing has to be done for welfare reasons once a year. It is no longer a profitable by-product these days. It used to be an incredibly profitable industry during the industrial revolution and before the importation of cotton, but those days are long behind us. The industry was hit even harder during covid when the price of the wool plummeted even further and currently remains stubbornly low.

Some farmers are now in fact breeding sheep which naturally shed their wool, similar to malting dogs and this is becoming a sought-after breed characteristic these are often referred to as ‘Easycare’ sheep for obvious reason. This shows how agriculture can evolve in changing times.

Farms will also be dosing wormers and fly repellents to sheep and cattle to protect them from two of the biggest threats over summer. Whilst there are industry concerns around the use of wormers (in particular with some worms becoming resistant to the wormers used) so many now only do this when necessary, rather than routinely. The use of wormers is generally seen as necessary as we don’t have enough land to rotate around, to allow stock to be on constantly clean ground. These worms, like in humans and other animals, can cause serious illness and death if left untreated.

Livestock farmers are also watching closely what is happening in Europe as there are concerns around the risk of Blue Tongue Virus returning again with the midges. This remains a notifiable disease but there is some positive news recently that the Spanish have developed a vaccine against the current strain and has been authorised for us in the Netherlands. This is yet to be approved for use in the UK.

The fields are already starting to change colour, most of the oilseed rape has turned green now with the yellow flowers being replaced with the green seed pods which will eventually turn brown/black as they become ready for harvest. The fields of winter barley are now well in ear and starting to turn a wispy green as the ears swell and grow, this will shortly be followed by the winter wheat coming into ear ahead of harvest maybe towards the end of this month although more likely beginning of July.

The countryside remains in full song with so many of our native and visiting birds present. Many of our native species have already had their first clutch of chicks. The likes of tits, blackbirds and corvid species will now be looking to have a second clutch.

The swallows and swifts seem a little ‘MIA’ (missing in action) thus far, probably not helped thus far by the incredibly unseasonably cold weather. They are about if you look in their normal nesting place.

Our meadows, roadsides, and woodlands are literally bursting with life with flowers popping up everywhere and bees busy pollinating and collecting pollen. June can really be a great month to get out and enjoy our natural world before it gets a little too hot or dry with everything turning brown (if anything like last year!).

Man charged following Reepham thefts

A man has been charged with 20 offences following a series of thefts from vehicles in Reepham.

Police received a report at approximately 7.15am Monday 27 May 2024 regarding a vehicle that had been broken into on Cawston Road, with various items stolen from within.

Additional reports of theft from motor vehicle were made by residents of surrounding streets.

Leroy McKenna, aged 40, and of no fixed address, was arrested on Friday 31 May 2024 in connection with the incidents, and taken to Aylsham Police Investigation Centre for questioning.

He was later charged with ten counts of theft from motor vehicle, nine counts of interfering with a motor vehicle, and possession of an offensive weapon. He was remanded into custody before appearing at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on Saturday 1 June 2024.

McKenna was further remanded and is next due to appear at Norwich Crown Court on 1 July 2024.