Residents, farmers,landowners and rural business owners have given their views on rural crime across County Durham and Darlington, providing valuable insight that will support future investment, prevention activity and policing priorities.
Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen launched the survey earlier this year to better understand the experiences of people living and working in rural communities,and to identify opportunities to strengthen confidence, improve feelings of safety and tackle the issues that matter most to local people.
Working alongside her Community Safety Coordinators, the PCC gathered feedback at agricultural events, farmers' markets and county shows across the county, ensuring the research reflected a diverse range of perspectives from Durham's rural communities.
The findings, recently published to coincide with National Rural Crime Action Week (6 to 11 September), highlight both the challenges faced by rural communities and the strong appetite among residents for continued investment, partnership working and targeted action to prevent crime and improve safety.
The survey identified fly-tipping, off-road bikes and agricultural and machinery theft as the issues residents most want prioritised. It also highlighted opportunities to strengthen reporting, improve police visibility and build confidence among rural communities.
Safer Countryside is already one of six key priorities in the PCC's Police, Crime and Justice Plan, and the findings will help inform future funding, resource allocation and partnership activity aimed at protecting rural communities and preventing crime.
The County Durham and Darlington PCC has invested just over £5k in 20 new security lights, 30 perimeter alarms, 15 covert trail cameras and 10 security cameras to deter crime and protect residents and businesses in Weardale and Consett.
The security cameras and trail cameras will be loaned out to farmers by the PCC’s Rural Co-ordinators to prevent agricultural machinery and plant theft while the remaining equipment will be available for Consett, Stanhope and Barnard Castle police stations to tighten security at properties vulnerable to rural criminality.
The cameras will run independently of the force and any footage of crime will only be handed over to police with the owner’s permission.
In another new initiative to prevent agricultural theft in rural communities, bespoke orange stickers are being distributed for use on agricultural plant and machinery and vehicles encouraging police to proactively stop and check the equipment if it is seen on the road or unattended in an unusual place between the hours of 10pmand 5am.
The initiative is modelled on similar projects in other parts of the country which have successfully driven down agricultural theft.
The scheme is being promoted on posters in rural crime hotspots with stickers being distributed by rural Single Point of Contact (SPOC) officers who will seize on the opportunity to engage and develop links with farmers and agricultural workers.
In addition, she has provided funding for Drone technology, which has the ability to cover vast swathes of agricultural land in a fraction of the time it takes traditional patrols.
She continues to call for more funding to increase the number of police officers to the level last seen in 2010. As she says, the more officers we have, the more we have for rural areas.
Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen said: "Our rural communities are the backbone of County Durham and Darlington, and it is vital that the people who live and work in them feel safe, supported and listened to.
"This survey provides the most detailed picture we have ever had of the concerns,experiences and priorities of our rural residents. Just as importantly, it gives us a clear roadmap for where we can focus our efforts to make the greatest difference.
"I am grateful to everyone who took the time to share their views. Their feedback will directly influence future decisions around funding, prevention activity and partnership working, ensuring resources are targeted where they are needed most.
"The findings highlight opportunities to improve confidence in reporting, strengthen engagement with local communities and increase the visibility of policing and support services in rural areas. These are all areas where we are committed to delivering positive change.
"What happens next is crucial. I will be working closely with Durham Constabulary, local authorities, farmers, businesses and residents to turn these findings into action. Together, we can build on the work already taking place, reduce the impact of rural crime and create safer, stronger and more resilient communities for everyone.
"The survey will also support our wider prevention work, helping us direct resources effectively, reduce harm, prevent reoffending and ultimately create fewer victims across County Durham and Darlington."
National Rural Crime Week puts the voices and experiences of rural crime victims at the heart of the national conversation, shining a spotlight on the unique challenges impacting rural residents, farmers and businesses.
Organised by the National Rural Crime Network, this year's event focuses on the theme: ‘Police Reform Must Include Rural Communities’.
Ends
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