Rural residents, businesses and landowners are being asked about crime in their area – and what they would like Cleveland Police and their partners to do about it.
The Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland (OPCC) has just launched its Rural Crime survey.
It aims to find out about the issues affecting rural communities throughout Cleveland . The survey also wants to know what residents, businesses and landowners would like to see happen to solve those problems.
The survey asks about poaching, theft, criminal damage, trespassing, burglary, domestic abuse and off road vehicles. It also asks about antisocial behaviour, fly tipping and deliberate fire setting.
It aims to find out the extent of problems within rural communities, pinpoint any hot spots and look at what can be done to resolve them.
The survey also gives rural communities a chance to tell Cleveland PCC Steve Turner if Cleveland Police’s rural crime plan is working.
Rural communities are also being asked to rate their confidence in Cleveland Police and its performance in areas which matter to them.
Vulnerable Communities
Cleveland PCC Steve Turner said: “Thirty per cent of Cleveland residents live in rural communities.
“Cleveland Police now has a Rural Crime Plan and strategic leads in place to take that forward.
“However, it’s important to recognise that rural communities feel vulnerable to certain types of crime – and as a result they need police to be present and visible to deal with that.”
Steve was assured that the force has a good strategic plan to tackle rural crime at a scrutiny meeting last September.
Cleveland Police has a rural crime forum, which meets quarterly. For more details, contact Cleveland Police Rural Crime Coordinator Lee Mapplebeck on [email protected]
To take the survey, go to:
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/RuralCrimeSurvey2023/
Deadline for submissions: 26 April 2023.