Suffolk Constabulary has appointed a new lead for rural and wildlife crime.

Sgt Chris Green replaces Sgt Brian Calver who has moved onto a new role in the force after being a driving force for the Rural and Wildlife Team since its inception in 2017.

Chris is now in this eighteenth year in policing having served in both north Essex and Suffolk. He has worked in various frontline roles across the county from running large response teams in Ipswich, dealing with all forms of modern urban crime to neighbourhood teams covering large rural areas.

The Rural and Wildlife Team offer crime prevention advice to farmers and landowners and work with other partners, alerting them to crime trends and patterns and collating intelligence. They also work closely with front line officers, who are often the first to respond to rural crimes and so the RAWPT offer expert advice and guidance when needed.

Sgt Brian Calver moving on (Picture: Suffolk police)

They also help tackle a variety of rural crime including equine crime, livestock offences, heritage crime which involves the harming of buildings, monuments and parks, and the theft of farming machinery, vehicles, and fuel.

Sgt Green said: "Firstly, I must pay tribute and acknowledge Brian's hard work and dedication to protecting the most vulnerable in the rural community. I clearly have big shoes to fill!

"I am determined to continue the good work of the Rural and Wildlife Team in proactively bringing criminals who operate in our countryside to justice. I thoroughly look forwarding to working with our partner agencies, police volunteers and the members of the community to keep rural Suffolk one of the safest places to live and work.

"Although the role is a unique one, I am no stranger to the country way of life being raised until adulthood on a small holding and have seen and understand the issues that can affect the more isolated locations in our beautiful county.

"I have a keen interest in our counties wild landscape and rich heritage. In a previous life before policing I used to work for Flatford Mill where I was fortunate enough to paint the famous Hay Wain by John Constable, although I used lime wash as opposed to oil."

Flatford Mill (Picture: James Flecther)

Police and Crime Commissioner for Suffolk Tim Passmore said: "I must start by thanking Sgt Brian Calver, his leadership of the Rural and Wildlife Team and his enthusiasm for policing our rural county has been remarkable. I wish Sgt Chris Green all the best as he takes the reins of this important policing team.

"This rural policing team provides specialist knowledge to officers right across the county to ensure rural crime issues are dealt with appropriately. People who live in rural areas pay their taxes the same as everyone else, so it is important to me as PCC that the whole county receives its fair share of policing resources. 

"Our intention is to make the whole of Suffolk a hostile place for criminals, including our remote market towns and villages and the Rural and Wildlife Team plays an important part in this ambition."