Last chance to complete rural crime survey

Less than a week remains for farmers to complete a major survey examining the effect of crime in the countryside.

The National Rural Crime Survey aims to measure the personal, social and economic cost of rural crime and antisocial behaviour across the country.

See also: Farm security advice to combat rural crime

The rural crime survey is available on the National Rural Crime Network (NRCN) website and is open for submissions until Sunday 10 June.

The last survey took place in 2015, when 13,000 people responded to give their impressions of crime and antisocial behaviour.

Significant costs

Results revealed that the financial cost of rural crime to the country was significant – totaling an estimated £800m/year.

The goal of the 2018 survey is to provide a clear picture of what has improved, what challenges remain and what more can be done to combat rural crime.

Questions in the survey cover a range of issues – including whether you report crimes and if you believe enough is done to catch offenders.

Rural challenges

The NRCN brings together police and crime commissioners, police forces and organisations playing a key role in rural communities.

These organisations include the NFU, the Country Land and Business Association, Neighbourhood Watch, Crimestoppers, Historic England and the Countryside Alliance.

NRCN chairman Julia Mulligan said: “I hope everyone living or working in a rural community will spare a few minutes to complete our survey.

“It will provide a clear picture of what has improved, what challenges remain and what more government, police forces and other organisations can do.”