Police officers trained in handling donkeys

Police officers have been learning how to handle donkeys in a bid to tackle equine crime and welfare.

Officers from Devon and Cornwall Police's rural affairs team received training at the Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary on Wednesday as part of national policing initiative, Operation Gallop.

PC Lucy Wyatt said: "Because we're predominantly a rural patch, we do come across donkeys on routine patrols and it's really important for us to recognise if there are welfare concerns."

PC Clarke Orchard said rural crime was costing about £52.8m per year, with £11m attributed to farm machinery and plant vehicle theft.

Jenna Goldby, donkey welfare advisor at the sanctuary, said the collaboration was "absolutely brilliant".

"The police do help us a lot on rural jobs when we're coming across donkeys that may have strayed onto the highway," she said.

"This is a fantastic example of some cross-sector collaboration between us and the rural crime unit."

Ms Goldby said the rural crime unit forensically marked the sanctuary's equipment, including farm machinery.

"So, if they are ever stolen, there is a lot more success of getting them back to us," she said.

"It's been a really strong collaboration so far."

PC Wyatt there was a "whole host of different reasons" why police may need to take action involving donkeys, including a road-related incident or a runaway.

She said the training had been "invaluable".

"We're really asking motorists to take our advice in relation to the safe passing of horses and other equines," she added.

"Making sure that we pass nice and slowly and giving them at least 10 metres of room."

PC Orchard said rural crime was a "real prevalent issue" across the country.

"I urge members of the public and members of the rural community to stay vigilant and to report any suspicious activity," he said.

Follow BBC Cornwall on X, external, Facebook, external and Instagram, external. Follow BBC Devon on X, external, Facebook, external and Instagram, external. Send your story ideas to [email protected], external.