Countryside Alliance - love the countryside

Your countryside hides crime behind a picturesque landscape, so tackling it should be given a priority equal to urban areas.

It’s a fact

Law and order was rated one of the top five priorities by all parishes in a recent analysis of parish plans.

Why we care

Crime in rural areas has been steadily increasing over the last few years. The proposal to merge police forces has caused concern in rural areas, with many people fearing that they may lose out to the provision of police priorities in urban areas. We respect the right of people living in rural areas to feel safe in their own communities.

The Countryside Alliance believes:

 Challenge Funds should be made easily available to all rural police forces to run crime prevention schemes in partnership with community groups and organisations. More on this...

 Any proposals to change police forces must be rural proofed by the Commission for Rural Communities to ensure that communities receive an appropriate level of police cover and funding. More on this...

 The Government should take steps to improve emergency service call out and response times in rural areas. More on this...

 Further steps should be taken to prevent youth crime, including the development of innovative facilities and activities to prevent boredom in towns and villages. More on this...

 Home Office guidance should be provided to police forces to ensure they enforce, consistently and rigorously, the law against animal rights intimidation and violence in the countryside. More on this...