The NRCN is funded by 28 Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs). The NFU is the only organisation representing the farming community on the NRCN executive board and is encouraging all NFU members to take part.
NFU Deputy President Guy Smith said:
“The farming community often feels that rural crime is not well enough understood in the way it impacts on farm businesses. This leads to concerns that sometimes it is not treated seriously or effectively enough. I would encourage all farmers and growers to participate in this survey in order to demonstrate just how widespread the issue of rural crime has become.
“These statistics can go a long way to provide a clear picture to the police, government and other organisations of the true scale of this problem. The NFU is the leading organisation representing its members in the fight against rural crime and is working closely alongside organisations such as the National Rural Crime Network in these efforts.”
Three years ago, the National Rural Crime Survey revealed the huge cost of crime to rural communities – both financial, at £800 million per year, and in the impacts of intimidation and fear.
The survey showed there was chronic under-reporting of rural crime, as well as anger and frustration at both police and government. The National Rural Crime Network produced a series of recommendations and, in many areas, the police took steps in response.