Two Rural Crime Advisors working across South Warwickshire have been recognised for completing  specialist training designed to help protect the county's historic environment and strengthen awareness of heritage crime.

Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe this week presented certificates to Alison Packer and Rebecca Jenkins after they successfully completed Historic England's Heritage Crime Awareness Course.

The Rural Crime Advisors are jointly funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Warwickshire and Stratford-on-Avon District Council. They work closely with Warwickshire Police, local communities and partner organisations to improve crime prevention, support victims and raise awareness of issues affecting rural communities.

Members of Warwickshire Police's Rural Crime Team have also completed the training, helping to strengthen local knowledge and understanding of heritage crime across the county.

Heritage crime can include offences such as theft, vandalism, criminal damage, unauthorised metal detecting and other activity that harms historic buildings, monuments, archaeological sites and heritage landscapes.

Protecting these sites forms part of Warwickshire's Rural, Wildlife and Heritage Crime Partnership Strategy, which recognises heritage crime as an important issue alongside rural crime and wildlife crime.

Cllr Natalie Gist, Portfolio Holder for Law and Governance at Stratford-on-Avon District Council, said:

"Alison and Rebecca's work is greatly appreciated in our rural communities and I thank them for their continued commitment.  I live in a rural community and it is very important to me that residents in these areas of our District are not overlooked.  Working with our partners, such as Warwickshire Police's Rural Crime Team, we can help to prevent rural and heritage crime and protect residents."

Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe said:

"Warwickshire's historic buildings, monuments and landscapes form an important part of our county's identity. They tell the story of our communities and help make Warwickshire the place it is today. When heritage assets are damaged or targeted by criminal activity, the impact can be lasting and, in some cases, irreversible.

"Protecting them requires strong partnerships, informed local people and organisations with the knowledge and skills to recognise risks and take action.

"I am delighted to recognise Alison and Rebecca's achievement and equally pleased that members of our Rural Crime Team have also completed this training. It demonstrates our wider commitment to protecting Warwickshire's countryside, wildlife and heritage for future generations."

Mark Harrison, Head of Heritage Crime at Historic England, said:

"Heritage crime can have a lasting impact on the historic places that matter to local people. The knowledge and skills developed by Rebecca and Alison through the Historic England Heritage Crime training programme will help strengthen local efforts to safeguard South Warwickshire's historic environment and support the communities that care for it."

The additional training will help local partners identify risks, provide advice and support communities in protecting historic sites and assets. It also reflects the partnership approach at the heart of Warwickshire's Rural, Wildlife and Heritage Crime Partnership Strategy, bringing together police, local authorities, heritage organisations, landowners and communities to help prevent crime and protect the county's historic environment.