Survey will help shape the future of policing

Residents are invited to take part in The National Rural Crime Survey- the largest ever survey into crime and anti-social behaviour in rural areas across the UK.

Issued by the National Rural Crime Network, it will find out how the police can better serve the area, collecting information on how people working or living in rural areas view policing in their community and the impact crime has on them.

Dyfed-Powys Police and Crime Commissioner Christopher Salmon, an NRCN board member, said: “I ask people across Dyfed-Powys to complete the National Rural Crime Survey - it’ll only take as long as it takes to enjoy a cuppa.

“People can feel isolated in Wales’ rural areas, adversely affecting their fear of crime. Rural areas often get forgotten. This survey is a chance for people to contribute to a nationwide study of rural crime. Every response to this survey will make a difference to local safety.

“Our work on rural crime prevention in Dyfed-Powys already includes more police officers and more time on the beat. There’s lots more I want to do to make communities safe.”

Dyfed-Powys is geographically the largest police area in England and Wales, covering 52% of the landmass of Wales, 4,188 square miles.

The force serves Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Powys- with a population of around 515,000. The area is predominately rural, with a few areas of dense population.

The National Rural Crime Network (NRCN) is supported by 29 Police and Crime Commissioners and police forces across England and Wales. The Network, established in July 2014, includes a wide range of organisations with an interest in community safety and rural affairs such as the National Farmers Union, Historic England, Neighbourhood Watch and Crimestoppers.

The survey will be open until Wednesday 24 June. To complete it, visit: www.nationalruralcrimenetwork.net/survey?member=DyfedPowys

For more information on the NRCN visit: www.nationalruralcrimenetwork.net