A CONFERENCE is being held at Kingston Maurward College to help stop countryside criminals in their tracks.

The second annual Rural Crime Prevention Event is being held on Friday April 26 from 9am to 4pm with speakers, presentations and demonstrations.

The focus for 2013 is crime prevention for rural businesses and industrial estates as well as for farmers, growers, landowners, equestrians and anyone with an interest in rural pursuits.

Crime prevention methods will be showcased using latest techniques and technologies from largely local providers.

This event will introduce rural businesses to tactics that they can adopt to prevent crime and fire.

Dorset Police, Kingston Maurward and partner organisations have joined forces for the event.

Weymouth and Portland Neighbourhood Inspector Les Fry said: “This is a great opportunity for members of our rural communities to come along and benefit from crime prevention advice.

“In these challenging times we want to help people to make it harder for criminals to commit crime by taking appropriate crime prevention steps. “We are also working closely with Dorset Fire and Rescue Service to ensure we have up to date information about rural premises and properties which will help us to prevent fire and arson in these areas, and that should the need arise, fire crews have sufficient information about a location to promptly tackle fires.”

Trade stands will be on display and demonstrations will take place during the day.

Speakers include will Assistant Chief Constable of Dorset Police James Vaughan, Insp Fry and Dorset Police Neighbourhood Inspector Shawn Whitley.

Others lined up include Councillor Ray Nottage, farmer Robert Lasseter and Michael O’Sullivan, who is risk and compliance director at Facewatch Ltd.

Head of agriculture at Kingston Maurward College Tim Stephens said: “Kingston Maurward College is pleased to be hosting such a high profile event aimed at reducing the rural crime that causes so much economic stress, and the impact on people and their livelihoods.

“As the hub of Dorset rural industries, and having a 280 acre estate ourselves, Kingston Maurward College will be able to share our experiences of rural crime and its prevention.”

Here’s how to get involved

TO REGISTER to attend the free event contact Elaine Ryan on 01305 226 865 or email elaine.ryan@dorset.pnn.police .uk. For trade stand enquiries, contact Wendy Cunningham on 01305 215 123 or email events@kmc.ac.uk