On Thursday 19 January 2023 Police Crime Commissioner for Leicestershire and Rutland attended a range of Rutland locations during a Community Liaison Day.

The day had a theme of Heritage Crime, allowing Mr Matthews to focus upon archeological thefts, Oakham Castle, and more.

Mr Matthews began the day meeting two Rutland residents in the Costa in Uppingham, following this with a longer visit to Rutland Showground, just off the Oakham A606 bypass.

Here, he met with a collective of local organisations and partners to discuss how to crack down on the illegal robbing of archaeological sites - a criminal activity known as "nighthawking".

Mr Matthews said: "I have always thought this far too glamorous a term for illegal robbery." 

Following that, he attended Oakham Castle to meet with Cllr Oxley and the museum team who care for the castle and the museum where so much of Rutland's history is displayed. 

The PCC's penultimate stop was at Whissendine, where he arrived early for a meeting and found time to deliver some crime prevention leaflets to the local residents.

Finally, Mr Matthews headed back to Uppingham to attend a meeting of the Uppingham Forum that was attended by over 60 residents. Here, he spoke about policing in Rutland, while the County Council leader, Cllr Lucy Stephenson updated everyone on the Annual Budget 2023/24.

Read more about this here.  

PCC Rupert Mathews concluded: "Then it was back off home for supper after more than 12 hours the road. A grand day out that had proved to be helpful and informative."

Hear more from the Police Crime Commissioner in the video below:

Alternatively, find out more about PCC Rupert Matthews on the PCC website.