Analysis and Evaluation of Rural Crime Related Policy and Strategy

Abstract

This project will use a rural lens to undertake a qualitative exploration of key documents in detail, and obtain rural public opinion on these to provide evidence-based understanding of how these policies/strategies/statutory instruments really affect those living in rural spaces. It is anticipated that this policy review will highlight aspects of the documents that work well, those that work less well, and where any potential gaps lie in the approach taken to ensure they remain appropriate, effective, and relevant with the additional input from rural community members.

Description

The UK Government of all colours has continued to ignore the needs of rural communities in almost all of its policymaking, statutory instruments, and policing strategies. Despite the fanfare surrounding the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023, there are notable shortcomings in its coverage and scope (Thorpe, 2023) with legislative amendments already being proposed (Cheshire PCC, 2025). The Police Allocation Formula relating to central government funding for policing in England and Wales, consistently sees predominantly rural forces receiving less funding per capita than their urban counterparts. The NPCC Rural and Wildlife Crime Strategy 2022-2025 has made efforts to organise policing efforts of rural and wildlife crimes, but exists in a space where some Police and Crime Commissioners still believe that there is no such thing as rural crime. All this remains despite the government’s commitment that all policy decision-making be rural proofed (Gov.uk, 2025). To date, there has been no independent review and analysis of the existing policies and strategies that relate to police funding and rural crime. This project will use a rural lens to undertake a qualitative exploration of key documents in detail, and obtain rural public opinion on these to provide evidence-based understanding of how these policies/strategies/statutory instruments really affect those living in rural spaces. It is anticipated that this policy review will highlight aspects of the documents that work well, those that work less well, and where any potential gaps lie in the approach taken to ensure they remain appropriate, effective, and relevant with the additional input from rural community members.