Countryside Alliance briefs MPs on the stark realities of rural crime

Ahead of a Westminster Hall debate on rural crime, due to take place on Thursday 27 February, the Countryside Alliance has briefed MPs on the realities of the issue, and highlighted key points from our Police and Crime Commissioner Manifesto. 

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As long-term campaigners on the issue of combating rural crime and a founding member of the National Rural Crime Network, the Countryside Alliance conducts an annual survey of rural communities’ experiences and perceptions over the past calendar year.

We launched our 2024 Rural Crime Survey in October and have been grateful for many MPs’ support in promoting it to constituents. It ran over the Christmas period, closing in January 2025. We expect to launch the results at the National Rural Crime Network’s 2025 conference on 25 March.

Our previous survey, whose results were published in January 2024, covered a range of topics of relevance to this debate including reporting behaviours, police response and the overall effectiveness of rural policing. Preliminary analysis of the 2024 survey suggests the trends it identified are continuing.

2024 also saw elections to the offices of Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) in May. Ahead of the election we published our Police and Crime Commissioner Manifesto 2024 which set out our six key requests of candidates and elected PCCs.

1. Overhaul the way police prioritise rural crime.

There is clear evidence that much rural crime meets the criteria for being serious and organised. However, current guidelines on police priorities and responses do not give rural crime the necessary prominence. We are calling for the College of Policing to review and update its Threat, Harm and Investigation guidelines (THRIVE) to reflect the growing serious and organised element of rural criminality and its impact on rural communities.

2. Support dedicated rural crime teams.

A single point of contact in the community through rural crime teams adds confidence that reported crimes will be investigated, with the full impact on the rural community understood. Many forces have already set up a dedicated team but PCCs must ensure the funding for them continues. If there is no dedicated team, PCCs should provide their full support and funding for one to be set up.

3. Ensure the police take rural crime seriously.

50% of people don’t think the police take rural crime seriously and 58% of people think rural policing has not improved since Police and Crime Commissioners were introduced in 2012. The figures demonstrate a feeling within rural communities that the police cannot do anything about many crimes. PCCs can ensure that police not only understand rural communities but also take action to reassure those who live and work in the countryside.

4. Rebuild trust between rural communities and the police.

PCCs have a key role in rebuilding trust and focusing police on rural crime via their Police and Crime Plan, but if they are serious about developing effective strategies to combat rural crime that requires collaboration between communities and the police. This includes working with groups such as Farm Watch and Neighbourhood Watch, using these invaluable community resources to complement policing and crime prevention initiatives.

5. Encourage rural communities to report rural crime.

Non-reporting is a serious problem. Those surveyed by the Countryside Alliance felt either it was a waste of their time to report crime or the police would not be able to do anything. It should be made easier for people to report crimes, and when they are reported, they must be taken seriously. Working with their force and local communities, PCCs can ensure the message of “reporting every crime” is understood by all communities and acted upon.

6. Target police resources better.

Resources are routinely focused on areas that have the greatest ‘threat, risk and harm’. Rural communities come in all shapes and sizes and their needs vary greatly from one area to the next. Particular challenges also exist in tackling crimes that are unique to rural areas. Crime, crime prevention, community safety and support services in the countryside must be understood and viewed from a rural context. PCCs should get to know their communities, understand their needs, and match services and resources to them.