Crimestoppers launches fresh campaign to tackle rural crime

Crimestoppers has launched its biggest ever rural campaign after a surge in calls to its helpline during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The charity said 2,700 callers had reported rural crimes to its anonymous phone line in the year to April 2021 – a 14% increase on the previous 12 months.

It suggested the rise was due to the public visiting the countryside in huge numbers, which had led to greater exposure of potential criminal activity.

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However, a spokesman said the charity believed more could be done, with many incidents still going unreported.

This is why the charity was launching its awareness campaign “Speak up to stop rural crime”, the spokesman said.

“We need more people to contact us because without information, rural crime can’t be tackled.”

The four-week campaign will raise awareness of the types of crimes committed, with the aim of helping visitors to the countryside identify criminal activity.

“We want people to know what rural crime looks like, why it’s a problem, and what the public can do to help. Rural crime is repetitive and well-organised, with criminal gangs exploiting local wildlife, environment and communities,” the spokesman said.

Activities highlighted by the campaign include machinery and equipment thefts, dumping and burning of rubbish, poaching, hare coursing and badger baiting.

The campaign will also offer advice on how to spot the signs and share prevention advice.

Crimestoppers chief executive Mark Hallas said: “Every day, we hear from people who are in the know about those involved in damaging our beautiful countryside, but there is so much more we can do.

“By telling us anonymously what you know, whether you live or are visiting rural areas, your information can help make all the difference.

“A team of professionals working at our charity’s UK contact centre anonymise all information received – to ensure the person giving the details is never identified – before passing it on to police to investigate. Your voice really can make a difference.”

Campaign backers

The “Speak out to stop rural crime” campaign is supported by NFU Mutual, RSPCA, Countryside Alliance, NFU, Openreach, FireStoppers, Link, National Wildlife Crime Unit, Environment Agency, CLA and the Angling Trust.

Crimestoppers also works with the Neighbourhood Watch scheme and Mitie.