This month sees the launch of the National Rural Crime Network, covering up to two thirds of the Police and Crime Commissioner areas for England and Wales
The Rural Services Network writes:
The idea originated with the Rural Services Network, a ‘not for profit’ organisation which represents a diverse range of rural service providers in the public, private and voluntary sectors.
The commissioners convened with police officers and representatives from the Rural Services Network, Farmers Weekly magazine, the National Community Safety Network, the online crime reporting system ‘Facewatch’, the Country Land and Business Association and other rural stakeholders, to explore the concept in more detail.
Rural Services Network officer Nick Payne said: ‘There is a common perception that rural crime is less significant than that occurring in cities and towns. The impact of rural crime is just as serious as it is elsewhere which is becoming an increasing problem as austerity bites and as police resources are stretched thinner.’
Mr Payne added: ‘There are also strong links to serious organised gangs in relation to some classifications of rural crime, for example, theft of agricultural plant and machinery as well as the availability of drugs alongside more conventional issues such as wildlife and heritage crime.’
‘There is good collaborative work already occurring in some localities but it is widely acknowledged that sharing of best practice is patchy and urgently needs to be improved.’
Mr Payne said the network would ensure that sharing best practice was effectively coordinated and sustained.
The network will also be developing strong links to academic research resources as well promoting successful techniques to encourage rural communities to become more self -resilient in these difficult times.
Rural Services Network press release: LINK
EH Heritage Crime information: LINK
