Warning to boost security after rise in rural crime across Staffordshire
Crime is soaring across rural areas of Staffordshire with residents now being urged to step up prevention measures.
A new study reveals the impact of rural crime cost Staffordshire £54 million last year as offences including violence, theft, arson and criminal damage rose.
There were 9,300 incidents of rural crime in Staffordshire in 2017/18, an increase from 6,500 five years before, the Rural Crime Study shows.
It shows road collisions in rural areas are twice as likely to result in serious or fatal injuries, and rural businesses are more likely to suffer more serious crime than those in urban areas.
Meanwhile fly-tipping in Staffordshire has increased by more than half since 2012 – costing £3.65 million a year.
The study was put together by Staffordshire Commissioner for police, crime and fire in partnership with Staffordshire Police.
The report was commissioned by Deputy Staffordshire Commissioner Sue Arnold after a national study raised concerns over the impact of crime on rural communities.
Mrs Arnold said: “Staffordshire is generally a safe place to live and work but this study outlines the full extent of the impact crime has in our rural areas, which make up over three-quarters of the county.
“One in five people in our county lives in a rural setting and it is vital police and communities work together in order to prevent and reduce criminal activity.
“I hope this report will act as a catalyst for increased awareness of crime in our rural communities and I urge people to take steps to protect themselves and their businesses, such as signing up for Smart Alerts and engaging with the police.”
Officers from Staffordshire Police were on hand to offer crime prevention tips at the Staffordshire County Show which was held this week.
