The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) is urging Police
and Crime Commissioner (PCC) candidates to do more to protect
rural communities from crime.
The group, which represents 28,000 farmers and land managers
across England and Wales, has written to every candidate asking
them to support five key proposals ahead of the elections on 6
May.
The CLA’s rural crime manifesto asks candidates to focus on the
following:
- wildlife crime
- greater support for the National Rural Crime Network
- prevention of crime against rural businesses
- more joined-up enforcement work
- improved education around the Countryside Code.
Mark Bridgeman, President of the CLA, said:
“Rural crime continues to devastate our communities which are so
often threatened and intimidated by callous criminals.
“But in this election 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.”
According to a recent report, 69% of farmers and rural business
owners have been a victim of crime over a 12-month period.
And the CLA estimates that the average financial impact of rural
crime per incident costs nearly £5,000.
Mr Bridgeman added:
“With the elections just weeks away, it’s paramount that PCCs
understand the financial and psychological damage inflicted upon
victims of crime in rural areas, and develop a meaningful
strategy to reduce it.
“Any candidate worth their salt should back our manifesto, and
promise to work with us to make our communities safer.”
Read the CLA’s manifesto here
