Campaign To Tackle Rural Crime Launched

A new campaign to tackle agricultural and rural crime in Northern Ireland has beenand aims to reduce crime in rural communities.

The Rural Crime Partnership, which includes representatives from the Department of Justice (DoJ), Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU), Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), NFU Mutual (NFU) and Young Farmers' Clubs (YFC), is working with Crimestoppers to encourage reporting and ask the public to provide information – anonymously – regarding rural crime in the region.

The partnership brings together representatives from organisations with a vested interest in tackling crime against rural communities. It works together, to take forward recommendations and initiatives around preventing and combatting rural criminality. Adopting an approach which encourages information sharing amongst partners, the Partnership focuses on reducing and preventing rural crime. The campaign is supported by a number of local Policing and Community Safety Partnerships (PCSP).

Speaking on behalf of the RCP, PSNI Superintendent Brian Kee, Service Lead for Rural and Wildlife Crime, said: "As part of our continuing work, the Rural Crime Partnership have been working very closely with Crimestoppers and very much welcomes the launch of this campaign which raises awareness of rural crime issues and encourages people to provide information anonymously. I would encourage people to come forward with information.

"I am acutely aware that rural crime has a significant impact on victims, and the economic losses caused by theft of property can have far reaching consequences for individuals, businesses and the economy.

"As a Police Service, we are also aware of the distinct set of circumstances facing a rural community, that's why it is important to do whatever we can and to work with our partners to provide the best possible service.

"Information received from Crimestoppers will be combined with intelligence from other sources to build a more detailed picture of rural crime in Northern Ireland, driving further focused prevention, investigation and enforcement activity by the Police Service of Northern Ireland, the Rural Crime Partnership and our partners and rural communities."

Susan Brew, Campaign Manager for Crimestoppers in Northern Ireland, added: "Crimestoppers is an independent charity and I would like to ask anyone with information about rural crime to ring 0800 555111 and be assured that they will remain completely anonymous – no-one will ever know you made the call."

(JP)