Suffolk rural crime sergeant leaves team for new role

The October 2022 arrest of four suspects equipped with metal detectors at a protected first century Roman fort at Baylham in Greater Ipswich was one of the many highlights of Sergeant Brian Calver's six-and-a-half year stint on Suffolk police's rural crime team.

He joined the then-newly-formed outfit at its inception and has attracted many admirers among the rural and farming community for his dedication to the rural beat.

Members of the National Farmers' Union (NFU) and Country Land and Business Association praised him for his contribution - and said his departure would leave a big hole.

The rural team is a county-wide resource and focuses on a number of crimes which affect rural communities - including farm theft, hare coursing, poaching, wildlife crime, heritage crime, fly-tipping - and nighthawking.

"I have absolutely loved it. It was something I really wanted to do," he said. "I'm a simple Suffolk bloke who's grown up in the countryside and I like it and want to preserve it. It's that passion that has driven me."

But he added: "Personally I think it's easy to get stale and every now and then you look at things. I have been self-reflecting and thought it's the right time for me to step aside."

Sgt Calver, now 51, is set to move to the custody team at Bury St Edmunds and his current role - leading three rural crime police constables - has been advertised.

He has learnt "an awful lot" - particularly about wildlife crime and farming, he said. He has also met many interesting people during his time in the role.

"There are just so many fantastic people out there willing to help," he said.

The rural people he met during his tenure "highlights to me just how fantastic Suffolk is - and rural communities".

"It's fantastic," he said. "Every day is a learning day and every job is so different. You never stop learning."

But rural people could feel very vulnerable and it was good to see WhatsApp groups forming so that those communities could come together to help themselves by passing on information and communicate with each other over crimes such as hare coursing.

"I cannot recommend it enough for farmers or rural communities," he said. But he added: "It's like most things in policing - it's the minority of people causing the majority of harm."

The team was very dedicated to the rural beat, he added. By working with communities, crimes such as hare coursing in the county had reduced massively, he said. 

Deer poaching was rife for a number of years in a certain part of Suffolk, and the team worked on cracking the problem, he said. "We basically smashed that," he said. 

Raptor persecution had also reduced by sending a strong message through enforcement and working with gamekeepers, he added.

"We are here for rural communities - that's our passion," he said. "The people on my team do it because they care." 

The Baylham nighthawking arrests were the result of a dogged campaign. A colleague spotted holes in the field and Sgt Calver volunteered to work nights to crack the problem - after it was suspected that precious Roman coins and objects were being taken from the site.

"I spent three nights down there and on the fourth night they turned up. When I realised there were four in the field I organised back-up," he recalled.

A police helicopter and dog unit was called in. As the officers ran across the field to arrest the suspects, some tried to escape.

However, Sgt Calver managed to cut them off at the pass as they made a run for their car. All four were arrested on the night.

"It was absolutely fantastic - I was buzzing for days," he recalled.

The men - all from Norfolk - later pled guilty to using a metal detector in a protected place and were handed suspended sentences.

Farmers' leaders praised Sgt Calver for his efforts to stamp out rural crime. 

"He has been a massive support there for rural issues and a big advocate for everything we do," said NFU Suffolk chairman Andrew Blenkiron. "He'll be a difficult act to follow."

Country Land and Business Association (CLA) regional surveyor Tim Woodard said: “During his time with the rural policing team Brian has worked hard to build trust and respect within communities in Suffolk.

"He has always been willing to listen to our members’ concerns and has been a strong advocate for farmers and landowners in the county.

“At the CLA, we have established a good working relationship with him, and he has always been very approachable and helpful when we have raised issues with him.”

“We would urge the police to consider his replacement carefully and to appoint someone with equal passion and commitment for the role. It is imperative that rural policing remains a top priority for the constabulary.”