Dedicated Police Rural Crime Teams in the UK: Do They Instil Increased Confidence Among Rural Communities?

• In Event: Rural Criminology Panel

Abstract

Current levels of confidence among rural communities in the ability of the police to tackle rural crime are at a historic low (National Rural Crime Network, 2018). This creates a vicious circle of a lack of policing and low levels of crime reporting across rural areas (Smith, 2019). Over the last few years, police forces across the UK have been establishing dedicated rural crime teams in a bid to create better relationships with these communities. This research explores relationships between rural communities and police forces, in particular whether the creation of a dedicated rural crime team actually instils increased confidence in rural residents that rural crime will be appropriately and effectively addressed. Key findings will be presented and discussed in relation to future policy and practice implications for UK police forces, how they think about rural crime, and how they engage with rural communities.

Author

• Kreseda Smith, Harper Adams University