PCC Julia Mulligan: 'reality of rural crime must be known'

Rural crime is costing 21 times more than it did previously

Julia Mulligan, chair of the NRCN and Police and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire, says that the reality of rural crime must be known and acted upon.

New figures have revealed an unprecedented £800million bill for crime in rural areas.

The National Rural Crime Network’s survey of over 17,000 people living and working in rural areas throughout England and Wales suggests the true cost of crime in rural areas could exceed this amount. This figure is 21 times higher than previous figures.

The survey also shows farmers and young families are the most frequent victims of crime, with the average cost of those crimes to a household being over £2,500 and for a business over £4,000.

There appears to be a pattern of under-reporting too.

As a consequence of these findings, the NRCN is making seven recommendations:

  • The cost of crime to rural communities is estimated to be £800 million - the equivalent to £200 for every household

  • Fear of crime is increasing

  • 39% of rural people rate the police as good (32.4%) or excellent (6.3%). Among rural businesses this figure was just 32%. Those figures compare to 63% nationally

  • The survey showed satisfaction levels drop to just 23% when it comes to the rural public’s perceptions of the police’s ability to solve crime.

  • Crime is under reported in rural areas

  • Rural communities are resilient

  • Lessons for local authorities and other partners – road safety and fly tipping