Many in the countryside feel like they are increasingly under siege from criminals.

In the past week alone, journalists have reported on incidents of hare poaching and crop despoliation by hooligans. But as many will be aware, it is only a small number of cases of rural crime that are actually reported, and an even smaller number that will actually receive press attention.

The Countryside Alliance, as part of its ongoing campaign to combat rural crime and raise awareness of this massively overlooked issue, last month launched its interactive rural crime map.

Since then, members and supporters have reported shocking incidents of criminal activity in the countryside, in many cases, at their own homes.

One victim said that, while at home one evening with their children, they had their 4x4 stolen by a gang of three men who destroyed their gates to carry out the theft. Understandably, the impact on the family was severe.

Another stated that their 15 year old retired dog was stolen one morning from their farm. They emphasised the emotional impact of the crime, and said that the police's response was far from satisfactory.

And one farmer reported that, over the winter, they were subjected to at least 20 incidents across their farm of vehicles and men with guns illegally trespassing on their land and driving over crops in the dead of night.

These are but a few of the incidents that have so far been reported on the Countryside Alliance's crime map. Shocking cases like these are happening all across the country. The impact on victims - both financially and emotionally - is profound and severe.

Raising awareness of these horrific crimes, that are taking place throughout rural Britain, is an important way for the Countryside Alliance to properly illustrate the true extent and the devastating human impact of the scourge of rural crime.

If you are a victim, or are aware of criminal activity, please take a moment to report this anonymously through our interactive map, which you can do here.

Together, we can combat this issue, and continue to push the government to take the action that is so urgently needed.