The first UK Rural Crime Day of Action is taking place today (Thursday, November 8).
Organised by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, there are events and activities taking place in forces across rural England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The cost of rural crime in the UK has soared to its highest level in four years, with a report published in Augusts showing the cost totalled £44.5 million last year.
In its 2018 Rural Crime Report, rural insurer National Farmers’ Union (NFU) Mutual looks at the impact of crime on rural communities across the UK.
With an increase of 13.4% on the previous year, it is rising at its fastest rate since 2010.
Across the UK, the cost of rural crime has risen most sharply in Wales, where it is up 41% on the previous year, followed by the Midlands which is up 32%, while the South East has seen a rise of 30%.
The cost of rural theft in Scotland has fallen 3.8%, while the North East is the only English region showing a fall, down 6.5%.
Day of Action
Here at the National Rural Crime Network, we’re committed to supporting the efforts to tackle crime in rural areas so that people are safe – and feel safe.
NRCN chairman Julia Mulligan said: “I will continue to fight for rural communities, who should not have to put up with sub-standard services just because of where they live. This simply cannot be tolerated.
“Despite the passionate and professional police officers working incredibly hard day-in, day-out, they and the communities they serve are being let down because priorities lie elsewhere.”
Who to contact
Should you wish to pass over information regarding rural crime, you can either call the dedicated Rural Crime Reporting Line on: 0800-783-0137; or alternatively, visit: www.ruralcrimereportingline.uk.
The line is particularly for giving information anonymously about one of four types of crimes:
- Large-scale, industrial fly-tipping;
- Hare coursing;
- Livestock theft;
- Machinery theft.
