Have your say in Rural Crime Survey

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer, has launched a survey for people living and working in rural communities to better understand their policing needs.

The feedback will be used to hold the police to account on tackling criminal activity in rural areas.

With around two thirds of Cheshire classed as rural, protecting these communities is a priority in the Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan. Unfortunately, many of the crimes committed within rural areas often go unreported. The Rural Crime Survey aims to gather a range of people’s experiences and build on the relationship that rural communities have with the police. You can have your say at:

www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ruralcrimesurvey2022.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer, said:

“I would like to encourage anyone who lives and works in or visits Cheshire’s countryside to share their feedback through my survey.

“I am committed to protecting our rural communities and it’s vital for me to hear from as many people as possible so I can identify both where the police do well and what more can be done to prevent and tackle rural crime.”

Rural Crime committed in Cheshire can have a devastating effect on a victim’s livelihood and tends to fall into one of five categories; agricultural (theft of farm machinery, livestock or damage to property), equine (theft from working stables), wildlife (poaching and interfering with protected species), heritage (theft from churches or protected monuments) and environmental (fly tipping or polluting land or water).

John Dwyer added:

“In Cheshire we are fortunate to have a fantastic Rural Crime Team and I will continue to work alongside them, the Chief Constable and partners such as the Environment Agency to ensure rural residents feel confident in their police service.

“If we work together, taking on board the views of residents we can make Cheshire’s countryside an even safer place to live, work and visit. Please do have your say.”

The Rural Crime Survey will be open throughout the summer. To take part please visit: 

www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ruralcrimesurvey2022

Pictured - Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer and Sergeant Robert Simpson from Cheshire Police’s Rural Crime Team with Iain Clarke (left) and Ed Parrish (right) from Reaseheath College.