Have Your Say on Rural Crime

Wed 18 April 2018

A new National Rural Crime Survey has been launched to shine a light on the problems and impact of crime in rural communities.

The last survey undertaken in 2015 captured the views of 13,000 respondents and put the cost of crime in rural locations at £800 million per year. But it also showed many individuals and businesses under reporting incidents and frustration at a lack of action from the police and government.

The 2018 survey will again focus on crime and anti-social behaviour in rural communities across England and Wales and the impact it has.

The survey is being carried out by the National Rural Crime Network. The organisation brings together Police and Crime Commissioners, police forces and organisations that play a key role in rural communities – including the CLA, the NFU and the Countryside Alliance.

The Network’s Chair, Julia Mulligan said: “The 2015 findings uncovered some difficult truths for all those involved in protecting rural areas and now is the right time to see whether lessons have been learnt, whether people are more willing to report the crime they are victims of and if they do indeed feel safer.”

Rural Crime can take many forms including anti-social behaviour, hare-coursing, fly-tipping or theft and with them, threats of violence and intimidation. All of which can have a serious impact physically, emotionally and economically.

Organisations such as the NFU are working with forces across the country to ensure farms and rural communities do not become a ‘soft target’ for criminals. Their Combating Rural Crime document published last year pushes for all forces to have a dedicated rural team.

Results from the survey will feed into the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s Rural Affairs National Strategy for 2018-2021 which is due to be launched later this year.

To take part in the survey and have your say on rural crime please click the link http://www.nationalruralcrimenetwork.net/research/internal/2018survey/

Jenny Layton Mills - Knighton Office (01547) 528621