Three South Shropshire councillors are calling for urgent allocation of more police resources to the countryside to target rural crime.

Liberal Democrat councillors Ruth Houghton, Heather Kidd and Nigel Hartin have written to the Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief constable asking for more support.

They say West Mercia Police should appoint dedicated wildlife crime officers to tackle the problem.

Clun councillor Nigel Hartin said: “The Shropshire countryside has always been under-policed but now resources have been stretched to breaking point.

“Police Officers are thin on the ground and addition now have to police the pandemic restrictions.

“Criminals are taking advantage of the situation. Not only are we seeing more thefts of items from garages and out houses but even pedigree dogs are being targeted.”

Cllr Ruth Houghton, who represents Bishop’s Castle, said crimes against wildlife is becoming a “serious” problem.

“We have had issues with hare coursing in the Bishop’s Castle area for some time and our local police have been trying to combat it.

“What has only recently come to light is the linkage between this activity and other crimes such as theft from property.”

Chirbury and Worthen councillor added: “ Enforcement of wildlife crime committed during development of buildings in our area is also a problem. There is a great deal of upgrading of old buildings, barn conversions and other development going on and there is precious little enforcement of planning conditions and the police frequently do not have the time or training to intervene when bat roosts or birds nest are destroyed.”

The councillors are asking for more resources to be allocated generally to rural Shropshire but also for officers to receive more training in wildlife crime.

They are also calling on Shropshire Council’s Planning Department to work closely with the police on wildlife crime issues.