0:00:02 > 0:00:05This programme contains some scenes which some viewers may find upsetting.
0:00:05 > 0:00:08North Wales. One of the most beautiful landscapes in the British Isles.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12It is a landscape that attracts visitors in their thousands.
0:00:12 > 0:00:13But it is also a home
0:00:13 > 0:00:17to some of the most isolated communities in the country.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21And recent decades have seen a steep rise
0:00:21 > 0:00:23in criminal activity in areas like this.
0:00:24 > 0:00:28Somebody is pinching the property of people who work hard,
0:00:28 > 0:00:30and it's very frustrating.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33In these isolated communities,
0:00:33 > 0:00:38people have very little protection against unwelcome intruders.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40I think we fulfil an important role.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43You know, farmers, they'll lose quad bikes or have something stolen,
0:00:43 > 0:00:46it could have a huge impact on their business and their livelihood.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48So, it's about working closely with these people
0:00:48 > 0:00:52and showing that we care and making a difference.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54Now a new and unique team has been set up
0:00:54 > 0:00:58to tackle countryside crime across the whole of North Wales.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00This small, specialised police unit
0:01:00 > 0:01:03is faced with every type of rural crime,
0:01:03 > 0:01:06from the theft of livestock, to organised crime gangs
0:01:06 > 0:01:08that target agricultural farm equipment
0:01:08 > 0:01:11worth thousands of pounds.
0:01:11 > 0:01:12Their working day can include
0:01:12 > 0:01:15the protection of the eggs of our rarest birds
0:01:15 > 0:01:19and preventing acts of severe cruelty against wild animals.
0:01:19 > 0:01:20That's disgraceful.
0:01:20 > 0:01:25Life in the country is always a challenge for the Countryside Cops.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30Just gives us a general view of where we are to...
0:01:30 > 0:01:32The Rural Crime Team was set up
0:01:32 > 0:01:36as a specialised unit of North Wales Police in 2013,
0:01:36 > 0:01:39under the leadership of Sergeant Rob Taylor.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42He began by ensuring that his team properly understood
0:01:42 > 0:01:46the unique problems they would face on the job.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49The team, when we started, the first week of operation,
0:01:49 > 0:01:51I had them going out and working on farms for the first week,
0:01:51 > 0:01:53so they were with the farming community,
0:01:53 > 0:01:56they understood what it's like to take part in milking,
0:01:56 > 0:01:58they know what a lamb being born looks like,
0:01:58 > 0:02:00they know how to put fencing up.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02These officers have then got a really good understanding
0:02:02 > 0:02:05of what farming's about, how they can work with the farmers
0:02:05 > 0:02:07and how they can be there to help them.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10All of North Wales Police investigations
0:02:10 > 0:02:13relating to animal welfare and rural issues
0:02:13 > 0:02:15are passed on to this small team.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20- She's back on the perch.- Yeah, that's definitely her, isn't it?
0:02:20 > 0:02:21- Oh, she's got a fish!- Oh, yeah!
0:02:24 > 0:02:26OK, thanks for all coming in.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28Basically, we're carrying out a job this morning
0:02:28 > 0:02:30in relation to numerous offences.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33But this is no job for the faint-hearted.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37Protecting wildlife and the natural environment
0:02:37 > 0:02:41can involve confrontations, danger and high-risk situations.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47Bearing in mind, Toby has several ...
0:02:47 > 0:02:48Warnings we've got on him.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52Yeah, they are quite volatile, and they're not going to be very happy.
0:02:58 > 0:03:03Rural crime is very difficult to detect.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06It happens in isolated places, in the middle of nowhere.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09You haven't got the CCTV, so there's none of that.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11It's a working environment, on a farm,
0:03:11 > 0:03:14so you're looking at dirty surfaces,
0:03:14 > 0:03:16so there's very rarely any CSI opportunities.
0:03:16 > 0:03:22So, lines of inquiry are very limited, if not zero. We take it seriously.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33Just like in an urban environment,
0:03:33 > 0:03:36much rural crime happens in the evening and after dark,
0:03:36 > 0:03:39when people are least likely to be seen.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44So, the small police team patrol the highways and byways of their patch,
0:03:44 > 0:03:46right through the night.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50We're just coming down the road now, spotted the gate open.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52Well, we're just checking.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54We do get a lot of livestock thefts.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57So it's always worth checking if you see something like that.
0:03:57 > 0:03:58That would not be left.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00A farmer wouldn't leave that gate like that -
0:04:00 > 0:04:02out, open onto the road or into a junction.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12Just have a look over here... with the night vision.
0:04:16 > 0:04:20We're just outside a little village called Betws Gwerfil Goch,
0:04:20 > 0:04:22on the edge of the Rhug Estate.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25We've come up here to have a look for lampers.
0:04:25 > 0:04:26It's quite a dark night,
0:04:26 > 0:04:29we've got a good vantage position to look down the valley.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32This area is a hot spot for illegal poachers
0:04:32 > 0:04:35that use a technique known as lamping,
0:04:35 > 0:04:38on account of the bright lights they use to hunt at night.
0:04:38 > 0:04:44Poachers hunt with guns or with crossbows, both deadly weapons,
0:04:44 > 0:04:47causing real fear for people living in isolated houses,
0:04:47 > 0:04:49who suddenly see lights out on the fields.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54Both officers notice a vehicle in the distance
0:04:54 > 0:04:55and, within moments,
0:04:55 > 0:04:58are in pursuit of the car that is speeding away from them.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08I'm not going slow here, down these lanes. And, er...
0:05:08 > 0:05:11You just manage to see their tail-lights.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14Just got to ask the question,
0:05:14 > 0:05:16what's he doing around here this time of night?
0:05:23 > 0:05:25- Got the gear, ain't he?- Yeah.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29- How are you?- You all right?
0:05:29 > 0:05:32- I was panicking then, who was following me, like?- Oh, yeah?
0:05:32 > 0:05:34- You OK?- You local?- Yeah.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36- All right.- I'm lamping. I'm lamping.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39- I'm shooting up the top here.- Yeah?
0:05:39 > 0:05:42And I'm off to Gwyddelwern now. I go shooting there as well.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44I've got a .223 in there.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47- Right, OK. So you're after foxes, are you?- Yeah, yeah.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50- Foxing for the farmers. - Right, OK.- So you...
0:05:50 > 0:05:53- You know, sort of, "Hang on, he's making off at speed here."- Yeah.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55I was coming down, yeah. But I wasn't sure...
0:05:55 > 0:05:56I don't know who's about.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59I'd rather get to the main road if anybody's coming.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03- Like I say, you don't know... - No, no, I just thought...
0:06:03 > 0:06:05We've checked him out.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08They've checked the vehicle out, everything checks out with that.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12PNC shows he has a shotgun, he is a firearms certificate holder.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14He's had the weapon in the vehicle with him, checked the weapon.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17It's all legit, all above board.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20Farmers will employ him to go and shoot foxes
0:06:20 > 0:06:21to control foxes around the lambs.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23He's just said now,
0:06:23 > 0:06:27they've had an awful lot of lambs taken in this area by foxes
0:06:27 > 0:06:29and that's his job.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37This time, the lamper was licensed and above board.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40But it doesn't always turn out that way.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42Investigations into another lamping case
0:06:42 > 0:06:45have revealed evidence of poaching,
0:06:45 > 0:06:48and the team are planning to move in on the suspects.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51The team meet for a briefing at Porthmadog police station
0:06:51 > 0:06:54and prepare for an imminent arrest.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56OK, thanks for all coming. As you are all aware,
0:06:56 > 0:06:59we're carrying out a job this morning in the Porthmadog area.
0:06:59 > 0:07:00The team's come down this morning,
0:07:00 > 0:07:03we're going to be looking at arresting some suspects
0:07:03 > 0:07:05in relation to local offences that occurred here
0:07:05 > 0:07:08and also some cruelty offences in regards to baby deer.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10We're looking at two to three suspects,
0:07:10 > 0:07:12so we are at least looking at two officers per suspect.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15Also, we've got specialist knowledge of offences relating to deer,
0:07:15 > 0:07:18what we're looking for, and that's the reason we've come down today.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20And the evidence has contained a mobile phone.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24Basically, the mobile phone footage shows a wild deer
0:07:24 > 0:07:28being effectively tortured by a group of local lads.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30We'll take them up to custody,
0:07:30 > 0:07:32where we'll interview them in relation to the offences.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35Due to the violent nature of this crime,
0:07:35 > 0:07:38the team will take no chances when they approach the suspects.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40So, yeah, if everyone else could search.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43Bearing in mind, Toby has several ...
0:07:43 > 0:07:44Warnings we've got on him.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46Yeah, he has several ...
0:07:46 > 0:07:49And, from previous experiences with both of them,
0:07:49 > 0:07:52they are quite volatile and they're not going to be, um...
0:07:52 > 0:07:54very happy.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56Have we got secure vehicles?
0:07:56 > 0:07:59Cos ours are not secure vehicles for transportation. Yeah?
0:07:59 > 0:08:02The team are then shown video evidence of the crimes,
0:08:02 > 0:08:05and it makes for harrowing viewing.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10Unfortunately, there's one person here that we can't identify.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12Can you see the dog?
0:08:12 > 0:08:16The graphic evidence of the crime shocks even the most experienced
0:08:16 > 0:08:18members of the team.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22That's disgraceful. OK.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25- Right, we going? - Yeah, yeah.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27We're going in.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30INDISTINCT CHATTER
0:08:36 > 0:08:40Judging by the footage of these people torturing the baby deer,
0:08:40 > 0:08:43I think we can come to some sort of reasonable conclusion that
0:08:43 > 0:08:46they're not pillars of society.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49It's never nice when you have to view
0:08:49 > 0:08:51evidence of animal abuse.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55But this isn't the first time that the team has come across
0:08:55 > 0:08:57evidence like this.
0:08:57 > 0:08:58So we take them seriously.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02If someone can do this sort of thing to an animal,
0:09:02 > 0:09:05you know, can they do the same thing to a person?
0:09:05 > 0:09:08It's quite a serious offence, really.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15As the principal suspect is residing in a local hotel,
0:09:15 > 0:09:18the team have to close in and try to make an arrest without causing
0:09:18 > 0:09:21distress or harm to other residents.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35Hiya.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04Initially, the officers are met with some resistance
0:10:04 > 0:10:07and are unable to enter the hotel.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13THEY SPEAK IN WELSH
0:10:15 > 0:10:18But eventually the officers gain access
0:10:18 > 0:10:21to 22-year-old Toby Humphreys.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25We've got two people in custody now.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28They're going to be going to the police station to be interviewed,
0:10:28 > 0:10:31make further enquiries, and there's one further person we're looking for
0:10:31 > 0:10:34but, yeah, it's all gone really smoothly and nobody's injured
0:10:34 > 0:10:37and two arrests, so it's a good result for us so far.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39Let's just see what else we can get.
0:10:39 > 0:10:44Toby Humphreys and Jac Parry both pleaded guilty to killing a deer
0:10:44 > 0:10:47and were sentenced to eight weeks imprisonment.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53It's very rare that we come across such a severe case of cruelty
0:10:53 > 0:10:56to animals, as this particular case. Lots of people have told me
0:10:56 > 0:11:01that two months was not enough to justify what had happened, you know,
0:11:01 > 0:11:04the offence they were charged with was poaching a deer at night
0:11:04 > 0:11:08and the maximum sentence was three months. In total, they'll probably
0:11:08 > 0:11:11spend a month each in prison, I should imagine.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13I can't, for the life of me,
0:11:13 > 0:11:17think of a motive as to why these people have done what they have.
0:11:17 > 0:11:21You know, why would they do it?
0:11:21 > 0:11:24Why would they cause so much unnecessary suffering
0:11:24 > 0:11:25to an innocent creature?
0:11:25 > 0:11:27There's no need for it.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31PC Evans is the youngest member of the team.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34His area covers Anglesey and Gwynedd,
0:11:34 > 0:11:36including the mountains of Snowdonia.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40I'm fascinated with biology, with wildlife, the environment.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42That's my main sort of interest, really.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46So I used to work for a conservation body here in Wales.
0:11:46 > 0:11:52But I thought it'd be interesting to have a more exciting career
0:11:52 > 0:11:55and I ended up in this role, which is rural crime officer.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58Fascinating role, they deal with wildlife.
0:11:58 > 0:12:05And it's in the area that I've grown up, so it's the perfect job, really.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07I'm very lucky to be doing it.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11With a beat that spans over 1,200 square miles,
0:12:11 > 0:12:14the terrain and weather can change dramatically
0:12:14 > 0:12:16in the course of a single day's work.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24It can be hard up here, you know, when you're working the land.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28The weather's atrocious at times, like today.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32But whenever I come up here people are friendly.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36The farmer I'm going to see today is someone I haven't met before.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39But the crime we'll be investigating at the farm is something that,
0:12:39 > 0:12:44from time to time, has been quite common, unfortunately.
0:12:44 > 0:12:50It's a crime of sheep worrying, where basically dogs, for whatever reason,
0:12:50 > 0:12:54have been attacking the farmer's flock.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58Mr Williams' farm, on the hills in Snowdonia,
0:12:58 > 0:13:02forms part of a common moorland covering over 30,000 acres,
0:13:02 > 0:13:05and is popular with visitors and dog walkers.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07It's the end of winter
0:13:07 > 0:13:10and the farmer is preparing for the lambing season -
0:13:10 > 0:13:12the time of year when sheep farmers
0:13:12 > 0:13:15build their stock for the following year.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19Mr Williams takes PC Evans to the scene of the crime where wool,
0:13:19 > 0:13:23scattered during the attack, is still visible on the moorland.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35The loss of a single animal is a real blow to any farmer,
0:13:35 > 0:13:37and the prospect of the attack being repeated
0:13:37 > 0:13:40is a cause of considerable stress to Mr Williams.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44So this is the sheep that's been attacked?
0:13:44 > 0:13:50It's where the dog has actually grabbed it in the neck...
0:13:50 > 0:13:53and torn the membrane and broke it in the bite.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56It must have been a very powerful bite.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00It broke its neck as well as the...
0:14:00 > 0:14:02the actual spine as well.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05- Yeah, there's a bit of a smell here, isn't there?- Yes.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07Well, it's been here since Saturday.
0:14:07 > 0:14:12- The other sheep out there are within five weeks of lambing now.- Right.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14And, well, the disturbance can become...
0:14:14 > 0:14:17HE SPEAKS WELSH
0:14:17 > 0:14:20The dog, whatever it was, has had a taste of blood
0:14:20 > 0:14:22and it will reoccur every time.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25Within hours of the visit,
0:14:25 > 0:14:29PC Evans received a phone call from Mr Williams in which the farmer
0:14:29 > 0:14:34described seeing the dog attacking the sheep a second time.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36It's been a very eventful day today.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40The farmer we met, Mr Williams, who had the sheep killed,
0:14:40 > 0:14:44he actually called me earlier on and he told me that he'd caught a dog
0:14:44 > 0:14:48and he was holding the Alsatian in his arms as he was calling me -
0:14:48 > 0:14:50he was quite excitable.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53But before PC Evans could get the details, it was clear something
0:14:53 > 0:14:55was very wrong with Mr Williams
0:14:55 > 0:14:58and PC Evans called in emergency help.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13During his scuffle with the dog,
0:15:13 > 0:15:16Mr Williams had suffered a heart attack
0:15:16 > 0:15:17and was fighting for his life.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21By a chance in a million, PC Evans was on the phone at the exact moment
0:15:21 > 0:15:23and was able to summon help
0:15:23 > 0:15:27and direct the air ambulance to the exact location,
0:15:27 > 0:15:28a move that gave Mr Williams
0:15:28 > 0:15:32a slight chance of surviving the ordeal.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35He told me that on this occasion he choose to use his camera
0:15:35 > 0:15:38rather than the gun. So he used his camera to take a photograph
0:15:38 > 0:15:41of what was happening and then he's tackled the dog.
0:15:41 > 0:15:46And by tackling the dog and phoning myself he's had a heart attack.
0:15:48 > 0:15:54With Mr Williams in hospital, PC Evans is returning to the scene.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57He knows that Mr Williams was attempting to cage the dog
0:15:57 > 0:16:00but he doesn't know if he succeeded in shutting it in.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05Got to be careful. I don't want to be eaten.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09But it looks like the dog in question is up there somewhere.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11DOG BARKS
0:16:11 > 0:16:13(OK...)
0:16:13 > 0:16:15DOG BARKS
0:16:18 > 0:16:20Er, it's just, just the sheepdog.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24Must be two sheepdogs, probably John's dogs. Hello!
0:16:25 > 0:16:27Very friendly as well.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33Erm, I think there's been some activity here in the last few hours,
0:16:33 > 0:16:37I would say. OK, well, the Alsatian was in a cage.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41Er, it could well have been this one.
0:16:41 > 0:16:46It's entirely possible that the owner, er, I'm guessing now,
0:16:46 > 0:16:49but it's entirely possible that the owner has come to collect the dog.
0:16:49 > 0:16:53Er, it's going to be difficult to ascertain what's happened.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57What is "rough spillage?" It should be big spillage.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00Equally then the box next to it saying what actually...
0:17:00 > 0:17:01'Because I've got such a small team,
0:17:01 > 0:17:04'the first decision was I need them to work smarter.'
0:17:04 > 0:17:06A small team can be extremely resourceful in regards
0:17:06 > 0:17:09to how we target and how we're impactive.
0:17:09 > 0:17:14The whole team have got some sort of background in what we do.
0:17:14 > 0:17:15You know, I've worked dairy farms,
0:17:15 > 0:17:18I've worked pig breeding farms as a pest controller.
0:17:18 > 0:17:19Erm, I fish.
0:17:19 > 0:17:23Oh, yeah, we've all got something that we can bring to the equation.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26I've worked in many different roles within the police service
0:17:26 > 0:17:28before doing this particular role.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30I've been working in towns on response,
0:17:30 > 0:17:32I've been investigating crimes full time,
0:17:32 > 0:17:36but this particular role is vastly different to everything else.
0:17:36 > 0:17:37We deal with the wildlife,
0:17:37 > 0:17:39that's basically what I was involved in
0:17:39 > 0:17:41before I joined the police service,
0:17:41 > 0:17:43so that's what I'm really interested in,
0:17:43 > 0:17:46so it's great to be able to deal full time with wildlife matters.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49And of course all the other subjects that we deal
0:17:49 > 0:17:51with in the countryside as well.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54Although more used to the countryside,
0:17:54 > 0:17:56the team occasionally get called into town.
0:17:56 > 0:18:00Having been called in by a homeowner who heard movement in her garden,
0:18:00 > 0:18:02the city police called in the team
0:18:02 > 0:18:05when they found strange tunnels in the garden.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08I've never seen anything like this before.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11You normally see them, obviously, in the rural areas and all that,
0:18:11 > 0:18:13but that's the noises what the lady can hear,
0:18:13 > 0:18:17it's an extensive badger sett in her back garden.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19That was a really, really unusual job.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21So, on one side, she's got the reassurance it's not burglars
0:18:21 > 0:18:24or people trying to break in. The other side, now, she's got badgers.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27But in fairness to the lady, she seems to like wildlife
0:18:27 > 0:18:30and she's happy that the badgers are there, so a happy ending
0:18:30 > 0:18:34in the end, but very, very unusual job to see something like that.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37- I didn't expect that at all.- I've never seen anything like that.- No.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53PC Evans is on his way to see farmer John Williams,
0:18:53 > 0:18:57who is home from hospital, having survived his suspected heart attack.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05OK, John, erm, how are you feeling after coming out?
0:19:05 > 0:19:07I'm feeling a lot better now.
0:19:07 > 0:19:12Er, I spent the night in Accident & Emergency in Bangor,
0:19:12 > 0:19:16and, er, had a good night's rest,
0:19:16 > 0:19:19and oxygen to help me.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23Before collapsing, Mr Williams got some photographs of the dog,
0:19:23 > 0:19:26which he believes he recognises.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28The Alsatian that you caught yesterday,
0:19:28 > 0:19:30where is it now, John, d'you know?
0:19:30 > 0:19:35Well, the Alsatian that was involved in the incident yesterday
0:19:35 > 0:19:40lives in the property adjoining my farm.
0:19:40 > 0:19:44The only thing I know is that he took a direct blow from me
0:19:44 > 0:19:47on his backside with a shovel, that's the only...
0:19:47 > 0:19:49And did you catch the dog?
0:19:49 > 0:19:54I didn't actually catch him, no, and I meant to hit him on the head.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56But he was too quick when he turned round, and I caught him
0:19:56 > 0:20:00on his backside with the flat of the shovel, unfortunately.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02That's the last thing I remember.
0:20:02 > 0:20:07I remember picking the phone up and phoning you...
0:20:07 > 0:20:10and talking to you... I can't remember what I said.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14I was lying in the sheep muck on the floor next to the pens.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17I thought it was the end, to be quite honest with you.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19I've just been speaking to John now,
0:20:19 > 0:20:22and he's quite certain he knows who owns this dog,
0:20:22 > 0:20:26so I'm now going to see the dog owner, er,
0:20:26 > 0:20:32and I'm going to offer the dog owner to see the, er, the sheep,
0:20:32 > 0:20:34then I'll be looking at interviewing the dog owner then
0:20:34 > 0:20:36in relation to what happened.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38I'll just show you the sheep.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40This is the, er...animal.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44You know, you're not being accused of anything at this point in time.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48As you can see, it's, erm, you know, you can see the injury at the...
0:20:48 > 0:20:51That's why my dog came home covered in blood dripping, was it?
0:20:51 > 0:20:53- No, I'm...!- It didn't.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56- That's OK, OK. - Sorry.- Don't worry...
0:20:56 > 0:20:58- This happens every year.- OK.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01Every year we lose sheep up here through an animal.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05- OK, were you aware that this animal had died the other day?- The who?
0:21:05 > 0:21:08Were you aware that this particular sheep had died the other day,
0:21:08 > 0:21:12- that John had lost a sheep?- No.- OK. - No, John doesn't talk to me at all.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14- OK, fine.- No communication.- OK.
0:21:14 > 0:21:19Following the visit from PC Evans, the neighbour settled out of court,
0:21:19 > 0:21:22and the dog owner agreed to control the animal in future.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27Many dog owners, from my experience, they, erm,
0:21:27 > 0:21:31are quite blind to what their dogs can do.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33For example, erm,
0:21:33 > 0:21:36I've known of certain dogs who have attacked the sheep,
0:21:36 > 0:21:42and then when I speak to the owner, erm, their honest opinion is,
0:21:42 > 0:21:47erm, "My dog wouldn't do that." Erm, and sometimes you have to explain to
0:21:47 > 0:21:50them, "Well, in this case, it has."
0:21:50 > 0:21:54Erm, and of course, it can be quite a dangerous viewpoint
0:21:54 > 0:21:57because if they believe their dogs haven't done it, erm,
0:21:57 > 0:22:00and they don't change anything as regards to the
0:22:00 > 0:22:03behaviour of their dog or how they saw the dog, then it's going to
0:22:03 > 0:22:06happen again, because as soon as the dog's had a taste for blood,
0:22:06 > 0:22:09normally it will carry out the same behaviour again.
0:22:12 > 0:22:17We've had too many incidents of sheep worrying, erm, in North Wales.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20We take it seriously. Really seriously.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23We're working hard in relation to sheep worrying.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25Your dog can be shot.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28You don't want that. Nobody wants that.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32We will prosecute, you know, people whose dog worries sheep. We will.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34But it's about education as well.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37If we can educate people and people realise,
0:22:37 > 0:22:40"Hang on a minute, you know, I'm either going to end up in court
0:22:40 > 0:22:44"here if my dog worries a sheep, or my dog's going to be shot."
0:22:45 > 0:22:47Developing an understanding
0:22:47 > 0:22:50and a feel for the people of these far-flung rural communities
0:22:50 > 0:22:53is crucial for a team that has to intervene
0:22:53 > 0:22:55in disputes between neighbours.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58Sometimes, though, the team has to think laterally
0:22:58 > 0:23:00to figure out a case.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04Team member PC Dave Allen has a background in environmental studies,
0:23:04 > 0:23:09and was a response officer for over ten years before joining the team.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14I don't consider myself a wildlife expert,
0:23:14 > 0:23:18but they're very hard crimes to investigate cos your victim
0:23:18 > 0:23:22can't talk to you, so you have to think outside the box, really,
0:23:22 > 0:23:24and I enjoy that challenge.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28How can we get evidence to take this person to court over that offence?
0:23:28 > 0:23:31Every call-out brings a new challenge for the officers,
0:23:31 > 0:23:36but for PC Allen, his next investigation is all too familiar.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40I'm off to report of a bird poisoning today.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44I've had a police officer report that, erm,
0:23:44 > 0:23:45he's located two dead birds,
0:23:45 > 0:23:49one pigeon and a buzzard next to each other, looking quite fresh.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51So we think it sounds a bit suspicious,
0:23:51 > 0:23:55so we're going to take a look at that in Llanfair Talhaiarn near Abergele.
0:23:55 > 0:24:01The birds that tend to be poisoned are the birds of prey,
0:24:01 > 0:24:05so your buzzards, your peregrine falcons,
0:24:05 > 0:24:08the red kite, that sort of thing.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11Why do people do it? Um... Two ticks.
0:24:20 > 0:24:24- Are you OK?- Fine, yeah. - Oh, right. I thought...
0:24:24 > 0:24:28- See your head down there... - Gorgeous day.- It is indeed, yeah.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32Have you got trouble with your car, have you? Is everything all right?
0:24:32 > 0:24:34- No. Just a general inspection. - All right, then.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37- I'm holding you up?- No, no, you're fine. I was just making sure
0:24:37 > 0:24:40you're all right more than anything really. You haven't broken down...
0:24:40 > 0:24:43- Very considerate of you.- Well, you know. Got to make sure
0:24:43 > 0:24:45- you're all right, that's the main thing.- Thanks a lot.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47No problem at all. You look after yourself.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50- Thank you.- Ta-ra.- All the best. - You too. Bye now.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55He was just having an inspection of his vehicle.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00The team deals with incidents of poisoned birds of prey regularly.
0:25:00 > 0:25:04Buzzards are excellent hunters and will hunt pigeons and pheasants
0:25:04 > 0:25:08and it is not uncommon for them to be poisoned by other bird owners
0:25:08 > 0:25:11who are protecting their birds from being attacked.
0:25:20 > 0:25:21Huh.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27Yeah. Um...
0:25:27 > 0:25:30A dead pigeon here. Obviously, injury there.
0:25:32 > 0:25:37From what I can see, no apparent injury to that buzzard there.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43What I'll do now is I'll put two sets of gloves on,
0:25:43 > 0:25:48just in case they have been poisoned - we don't know what with.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52I'll bag it, seal it and I'll send it off to the Welsh government labs
0:25:52 > 0:25:56and they will test to see if any poisons have been done.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59I'll get some photos of it first in situ.
0:26:05 > 0:26:06Just starting to...
0:26:06 > 0:26:08If you look at this animal here,
0:26:08 > 0:26:10I mean, obviously, look at the talons on it.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15You know, I mean, look how sharp they are, to grab prey.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19Unfortunately, the buzzard is often a victim of poisoning
0:26:19 > 0:26:25or shooting, but another bird of prey has far more protection.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28The osprey is said to be one of the most majestic
0:26:28 > 0:26:30of the native birds of prey.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33In the early 1800s, it is thought
0:26:33 > 0:26:36that there were hundreds of breeding pairs of ospreys in Britain,
0:26:36 > 0:26:39but heavy persecution, mania by Victorian egg
0:26:39 > 0:26:43and skin collectors, during the 19th century
0:26:43 > 0:26:46brought about its demise, with the last sighting of an osprey
0:26:46 > 0:26:49being recorded in Wales in the 1930s.
0:26:49 > 0:26:54Now the birds are beginning to find their way back into Wales,
0:26:54 > 0:26:55but remain extremely rare.
0:26:57 > 0:27:02One of the best aspects of this work for me is to deal with the ospreys.
0:27:02 > 0:27:06About ten years ago, we had a breeding pair return to Wales,
0:27:06 > 0:27:08just down the valley from where we are now
0:27:08 > 0:27:13and the same pair have been coming back year after year after year,
0:27:13 > 0:27:17to the same nest and raising chicks every single year.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20Because the ospreys are so rare in Wales,
0:27:20 > 0:27:24you can imagine that the attraction for an egg collection is very high.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26There's a group of volunteers locally
0:27:26 > 0:27:29who come together to protect the ospreys.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31I work with them and, every single year,
0:27:31 > 0:27:35we put a plan together to protect the nest.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37- Hi, Viv.- Hello.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39- Good to see you again. - Good to see you.- Likewise.
0:27:39 > 0:27:43- I haven't seen you in a good couple of weeks now. - Brought the sunshine with you.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45Well, I think it was already here, to be honest with you.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49- What's he caught? It's difficult to tell what sort of fish.- It is, yes.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52You can hardly see it. What's she like, this female?
0:27:52 > 0:27:56She's feisty. She will chase any intruding ospreys.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59Hopefully, next time I come and see you, hopefully,
0:27:59 > 0:28:03- they'll have eggs laid. We hope so.- Yes, we hope so.
0:28:03 > 0:28:09- How's the security aspect of the operation going, Viv?- Very well.
0:28:09 > 0:28:10Very well.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13Obviously, we have people here in the hide at night,
0:28:13 > 0:28:16we have people in the caravan, our volunteers.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18We have the monitor
0:28:18 > 0:28:22and we can see exactly what's happening within the nest itself,
0:28:22 > 0:28:24the top of the tree.
0:28:24 > 0:28:28We've got security cameras placed around the area
0:28:28 > 0:28:29and at the base of the tree.
0:28:29 > 0:28:32We've also got infrared binoculars
0:28:32 > 0:28:36that work with infrared security cameras over there.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39We do everything possible that we can do.
0:28:39 > 0:28:40Absolutely.
0:28:40 > 0:28:44If you come across anything, give us a call and we'll deal...
0:28:44 > 0:28:46Definitely. We would do, yes.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55Much of the farming community in North Wales
0:28:55 > 0:28:58live in remote and isolated locations.
0:28:58 > 0:29:02CCTV is rare and neighbours can be miles away.
0:29:02 > 0:29:06Inhabitants are vulnerable to those looking for property
0:29:06 > 0:29:08with few witnesses.
0:29:16 > 0:29:20PC Dave Allen has been called out to a remote farm in Flintshire
0:29:20 > 0:29:23to investigate the discovery of four fresh animal skins
0:29:23 > 0:29:25found on the land.
0:29:25 > 0:29:26This has caused some bewilderment
0:29:26 > 0:29:31and worry for the land owner, as only sheep graze on his fields.
0:29:31 > 0:29:36Had a report of four deer skins
0:29:36 > 0:29:38being dumped down a lane,
0:29:38 > 0:29:42so I was, obviously, strongly suspecting poaching there,
0:29:42 > 0:29:43so we're going to go take a look,
0:29:43 > 0:29:46we're going to meet the person that's reported it in.
0:29:49 > 0:29:54Poaching is by far the most common wildlife crime in the UK
0:29:54 > 0:29:57and deer are particularly targeted for their meat.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01Mr Archdale, the landowner,
0:30:01 > 0:30:05takes PC Allen to the lane where the skins were found.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08- A bit of hair from the fur of the skin.- Yeah.
0:30:08 > 0:30:12What I'd love to know is why they skinned the things here?
0:30:12 > 0:30:13Well, they may not have done.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18Before inspecting the deer skins, PC Allen wants to see
0:30:18 > 0:30:23if he can find any evidence on the road, or in the adjoining woodland.
0:30:29 > 0:30:34Yeah. So, there you go, that's quite a big...
0:30:34 > 0:30:37big piece of it there, OK?
0:30:37 > 0:30:40Could well have been skinned here, you know.
0:30:40 > 0:30:44More skin and hair here as well.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47There's no signs of any fresh blood.
0:30:47 > 0:30:50What deer may do sometimes as well
0:30:50 > 0:30:53is what's known as gralloching with the deer,
0:30:53 > 0:30:56is where they'll drain all the blood. Hang it and drain all the blood
0:30:56 > 0:31:01because if the blood stays in the carcass, it taints the meat,
0:31:01 > 0:31:03which is not good then for eating.
0:31:03 > 0:31:07Having established that the animals were skinned at the roadside,
0:31:07 > 0:31:09PC Allen wants to work out how they were killed -
0:31:09 > 0:31:13all information that could lead to a arrest.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15The presence of poachers
0:31:15 > 0:31:17is a real worry to people who live in the area.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20Do you any issues with your livestock at all?
0:31:20 > 0:31:21Not as such, no.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24The only thing we do have are people coming up lamping at night.
0:31:24 > 0:31:28Yeah. I can see you're quite quiet here, aren't you? Yeah.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31Especially if the family are here without me, it's a little bit...
0:31:31 > 0:31:32They tend to get a little bit nervous.
0:31:32 > 0:31:36Yeah. I can see you're quite isolated.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38My tractor driver, he came up the other night
0:31:38 > 0:31:39and he parked on the top there,
0:31:39 > 0:31:42and he said it was like Blackpool illuminations here.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45If you've got people lamping and all that, let me know.
0:31:45 > 0:31:46I wonder where they come from?
0:31:46 > 0:31:50That's the million-dollar question, ain't it?
0:31:50 > 0:31:53Puncture wound there. Incision is quite clean.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56It's almost like a surgical cut. It's clean,
0:31:56 > 0:31:58it's not ragged or anything like that there, you see.
0:31:58 > 0:32:03Imagine that's the profile of the deer there, yeah.
0:32:03 > 0:32:07Obviously, the head end is here, my left hand.
0:32:07 > 0:32:10And what we've got here is the shot.
0:32:10 > 0:32:12- There, which is, basically, a heart shot.- Yeah,
0:32:12 > 0:32:17which is, I strongly suspect, a crossbow, totally illegal to be used.
0:32:17 > 0:32:22There's no bite marks along here where the dogs brought it down,
0:32:22 > 0:32:24or on the back legs...
0:32:24 > 0:32:28that I can see here, there is no bite, puncture wound.
0:32:28 > 0:32:30I'd say whoever done it, very, very clean.
0:32:30 > 0:32:32This profile will be logged and matched
0:32:32 > 0:32:35with future cases to help catch the poachers.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39One of the Rural Crime Team's main objectives
0:32:39 > 0:32:41is changing attitudes to help people
0:32:41 > 0:32:44to better protect themselves against crime.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49These are my two favourite FUW people.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52- Shw' mae, David? - Shw' mae, Dafydd?
0:32:52 > 0:32:55One of the unit's first breakthroughs was to smash
0:32:55 > 0:32:59an organised crime ring stealing quad bikes across North Wales.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03But it seems that another spate of systematic theft is occurring.
0:33:05 > 0:33:06It's a nice day
0:33:06 > 0:33:10and, unfortunately, it was a nice night for a crime last night.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13We've had the tractor stolen from Anglesey,
0:33:13 > 0:33:16a tractor along with another farm vehicle,
0:33:16 > 0:33:19so I'm on my way now to meet up with the victim,
0:33:19 > 0:33:24see if we can gather enough evidence to progress an investigation here.
0:33:24 > 0:33:28Diawlad. Pwy bynnag sy'n gyfrifol. Oes gyda chi syniad? Dyma ni.
0:33:28 > 0:33:32Perffaith. Diolch yn fawr iawn i chi. Iawn.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35Woke up this morning, six o'clock, go and look at the sheep,
0:33:35 > 0:33:39tractor pinched. It was very frustrating.
0:33:39 > 0:33:43- Not the first time it's happened. - When did you first see it was here?
0:33:43 > 0:33:44About seven o'clock last night.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47- OK, so it's gone over quite a distinct period, isn't it?- Yes.
0:33:47 > 0:33:53Somebody is pinching hard-earned property of people who work hard
0:33:53 > 0:33:56and it's very frustrating.
0:33:56 > 0:34:00I would love to have been there or caught them in the act,
0:34:00 > 0:34:01that's the only thing I can say.
0:34:05 > 0:34:07The CSI team have been called out
0:34:07 > 0:34:10and are looking for any clues the thieves might have left behind
0:34:10 > 0:34:12but farmyards are very difficult areas
0:34:12 > 0:34:17to search for forensic evidence, as everything is covered in muck.
0:34:17 > 0:34:18In this case, though,
0:34:18 > 0:34:22the forensic investigator thinks he might have a lead.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24- If you have a look in this area here.- Yeah?
0:34:24 > 0:34:28- You can actually see the squiggles of the lines.- Right.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31Where it's a, you know, more like a woollen deposit
0:34:31 > 0:34:33which has been left within the dirt.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36- We've recovered tractors previously. - Have you? That's good.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38- It took a month. - A month?- Yeah.- OK, then.
0:34:38 > 0:34:41- So, we'll see if we can do it again. - I'll have to buy another one.
0:34:41 > 0:34:46- I can't wait a month. - I know. We'll do all we can.
0:34:46 > 0:34:50If there are any leads that crop up, we'll exhaust them all.
0:34:50 > 0:34:54Without a tractor, Hugh Lewis, the farmer, is unable to carry on
0:34:54 > 0:34:58with farming work, meaning that his business is losing money each day.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00Many farms have been leaving gates
0:35:00 > 0:35:03and even doors unlocked for generations.
0:35:03 > 0:35:08Locking them is a cultural change that will take some getting used to.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12- I'll live in hope then. - Live in hope. OK.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15Other officers are out making house-to-house enquiries
0:35:15 > 0:35:19about the incident and they think they might have a lead.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22Interesting discussion there with my colleagues.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25They've been told of a Ford Transit van
0:35:25 > 0:35:28that was seen under suspicious circumstances last night
0:35:28 > 0:35:30which matches the information that I've had
0:35:30 > 0:35:33and apparently this particular van was parked outside
0:35:33 > 0:35:36a level crossing in Ty Croes,
0:35:36 > 0:35:41so I'm going to head over there and see if they have CCTV there
0:35:41 > 0:35:46and if we do, of course, we may have some suspects who we'll see.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58I've been to the level crossing.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00There is no CCTV there,
0:36:00 > 0:36:03so that's out of the question, unfortunately.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08PC Evans gets a call out to another farm on Anglesey
0:36:08 > 0:36:11where thieves have attempted to steal two tractors
0:36:11 > 0:36:12from another farmyard.
0:36:12 > 0:36:16But this time, they abandoned the tractors a few miles from the farm.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28Looking at the ignition barrel here,
0:36:28 > 0:36:31I can see that it's not damaged at all.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34The key for this tractor, it's a culture for us all,
0:36:34 > 0:36:37the farmer has that in his possession and we know that this thing
0:36:37 > 0:36:40was actually being driven along the road yesterday so the criminal
0:36:40 > 0:36:44has clearly brought his own key along and that's how it's been stolen.
0:36:44 > 0:36:49Open gates and open doors may be a long-standing tradition but it is
0:36:49 > 0:36:53one that has to end if this spate of organised crime is to be stopped.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58Unfortunately, even though this is a lovely farm,
0:36:58 > 0:36:59it's quite vulnerable to crime.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02The reasons being, no-one lives here
0:37:02 > 0:37:05and also there are no sort of surrounding properties,
0:37:05 > 0:37:07so it's very vulnerable.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09I think the number one thing we can do here
0:37:09 > 0:37:12is to put a lock on the gates leading into the farm
0:37:12 > 0:37:15because if there was a lock there,
0:37:15 > 0:37:18it would have been that much more difficult for the offenders
0:37:18 > 0:37:20to drive off with these very expensive items.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24It appears there may be a criminal gang
0:37:24 > 0:37:26targeting Anglesey for tractors.
0:37:26 > 0:37:30These farms have proven to be a soft target for thieves.
0:37:30 > 0:37:34The team's priority now is to prevent any more thefts.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49In the first 18 months, the Rural Crime Team
0:37:49 > 0:37:52have dealt with hundreds of investigations,
0:37:52 > 0:37:54developing a new kind of policing
0:37:54 > 0:37:58and creating a model for other forces across the country.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01We've been lucky enough to have some good results
0:38:01 > 0:38:03where we've recovered stolen property,
0:38:03 > 0:38:06we've put people away in prison and we've solved wildlife crime,
0:38:06 > 0:38:10so it's a very rewarding role in that aspect.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13The short time the team's been going,
0:38:13 > 0:38:16we really feel we're making a difference to the farming community.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19The feedback we get is brilliant, really, really good.
0:38:19 > 0:38:24And it's because there's a full-time team. That's the difference.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26It's proven, 18 months' time,
0:38:26 > 0:38:30the span that we've been evolved as a team and we're now looking
0:38:30 > 0:38:34at wildlife crime down over 50%. That's a massive, massive impact.
0:38:37 > 0:38:39Even after a year on this unique beat,
0:38:39 > 0:38:43the team are still encountering the kind of challenges
0:38:43 > 0:38:46that would never crop up for their urban counterparts.
0:38:46 > 0:38:47Hook that through.
0:38:47 > 0:38:51When you joined the job, you didn't think you'd be doing this, did you?
0:38:51 > 0:38:57More slowly, go on. Again. Go on. Carry on. Come on, girl. Good, girl.
0:38:57 > 0:39:00Come on. Carry on. Carry on.
0:39:06 > 0:39:11Good. Hey. There you go. There we go. One big lamb.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13- I've got it, hang on, Al...Dave, rather.- Yeah.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15Hang on, she might be another...
0:39:21 > 0:39:22Not done that for a few years.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25Timing couldn't be better, could it, Chris? Timing couldn't be better.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28Impeccable, Dave. Impeccable.
0:39:28 > 0:39:30She'll show it.
0:39:30 > 0:39:34She'll, um...lick it dry.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36Once it's on its feet, it'll suckle.
0:39:36 > 0:39:40It must have colostrum within the first 12 hours.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44Once she's licked it and bonded with it, should she be OK?
0:39:44 > 0:39:48- Job well done.- Thanks, Chris. - Thank you very much.
0:39:48 > 0:39:50- Just in the nick of time. - We'll be off now, mate. The lambing.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53More lambing to do.
0:39:53 > 0:39:55It's the first time I've done it with a sheep.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58- You don't mind delivering babies, do you?- I'd call it, call it Paul.
0:39:58 > 0:40:01THEY LAUGH
0:40:01 > 0:40:03Doesn't look like a Paul to me, looks more of a Dewi.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05HE LAUGHS