THE head of Ryedale police is urging residents to take part in a national rural crime survey and help challenge current thinking about the impact incidents have on their community.

Inspector Andy Everitt said anyone living or working in rural areas was being encouraged to take part in the survey to help build a picture of what is a widespread, but often misunderstood, issue.

The largest-ever survey into crime and anti-social behaviour in rural areas has been launched by the National Rural Crime Network (NRCN), which is chaired by North Yorkshire’s police and crime commissioner, Julia Mulligan, to find out how the police can better serve rural communities.

Insp Everitt said: “Our police and crime commissioner, Julia Mulligan, is extremely supportive of the impact that rural crime has in our communities and I know that she is completely tuned in to the challenges that Ryedale faces in this regard.

“The fear of crime felt by people living in our rural communities can often outweigh the actual levels of crime, however the negative impact on the quality of people’s lives can be the same.”

Insp Everitt said Ryedale police and partner agencies worked hard to close this gap in the knowledge that actual crime statistics were not a true indicator of the vulnerability that people actually felt. “The allocation of Government funding to deliver policing services cannot be based solely on the number of crimes committed in an area, this is too simplistic,” he said.

“I am hopeful that this national rural crime survey will tease out these issues and give Julia the chance to challenge thinking around the true effects of rural crime.

“By way of example, Ryedale has an ageing population, and it is these sorts of local demographics that can heighten feelings of vulnerability within local communities.

“Neighbourhood Watch schemes are one such measure that rural communities can take to provide additional reassurance to those people who may be feeling vulnerable, and I am particularly keen to expand our schemes in Northern Ryedale.

“I urge as many people as possible to have their say in this national rural crime survey and to help influence current thinking.”

For more information on Neighbourhood Watch in Ryedale, phone Terry Wallis at kirkbymoorsidenhw@hotmail.co.uk

To complete the rural crime survey, go to nationalruralcrimenetwork.net/survey by Wednesday, June 24.