Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) candidates are being asked to do more to protect rural communities, in advance of the local elections.
According to a recent report, 69 per cent of farmers and rural business owners have been a victim of crime over 12 months.
Now the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has written to every candidate asking them to support five key proposals before the elections on 6 May.
Proposals on the CLA’s rural crime manifesto include: Wildlife crime; Greater support for the National Rural Crime Network; Prevention of crime against rural business; More joined-up enforcement work; Improved education around the Countryside Code.
Around 28,000 farmers and land managers across England and Wales are represented by the CLA and its president Mark Bridgeman said: “Rural crime continues to devastate our communities which are so often threatened and intimidated by callous criminals.”
“However, in these local elections, PCC candidates have a golden opportunity to show they are serious about protecting rural communities through targeted funding and adaptation of policing for rural areas.”
“While some police forces have boosted their efforts to tackle rural crime, many are inadequately resourced.”
The CLA estimates that the average financial impact of rural crime per incidents costs nearly £5,000.
LSL News.