Rural crime so bad that one in five have considered moving

Following a Countryside Alliance rural survey, 96% of respondents said crime is a significant issue locally and nearly half believe the police do not take rural crime seriously.

73% of those surveyed thought that rural crime had increased in the last 12 months, and 39% of respondents said that during that time they had been personally affected by it. 18% had even considered moving away as a result.

The survey also found that nearly half of those who reported crimes to the police – 48% – were dissatisfied with the response and 85% said the police cannot be relied on to be there when you need them.

The issue of rural crime has been brought to the public attention by a string of high-profile breaches of the law. In January an incident in Cambridgeshire saw 70 criminals drive vehicles through fields killing hares and deer, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage to crops and setting fire to cars.

In another prominent case, a farmer from Devon recently revealed that he has lost more than 4,500 sheep worth half a million pounds to thieves over the last decade.

To help address rural crime the Countryside Alliance has outlined a number of ways in which rural crime might be dealt with more effectively, including the implementation of the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023. This targets the theft and re-sale of equipment used by tradespeople and agricultural businesses.

The Act would also require that vehicles are fitted with engine immobilisers, better empower police and magistrates to punish perpetrators of rural crime, put in place improved reporting for cases of livestock theft, and increase the support for the National Rural Crime Unit.

Tim Bonner, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance said: “Tackling crime and increasing police visibility is a major priority for people who live in the countryside, and while there may be increasing awareness in the corridors of Westminster of the growing problem of rural crime, this awareness is often not felt by the communities that live and work in the countryside.”

“By prioritising the issues that matter most to rural residents and ensuring that the police have the resources and support they need to act, we can begin to rebuild trust, improve safety, and create an environment where rural communities feel secure once again.”