Julia Mulligan comments on rural crime rise in North Yorkshire

Police and Crime Commissioner Julia Mulligan, who is responsible for one of the largest rural police forces in the country, said: “This report comes as no surprise as crime is currently on the rise across the country, although in North Yorkshire last year it fell slightly. The picture painted however does chime with feedback I’m receiving from farmers and others locally. The report itself is also useful in that it’s a timely reminder that rural areas need a strong police service, just as much as their urban counterparts.

“However, having said all of this, I do believe that some progress has been made—for example, North Yorkshire now has one of the largest dedicated rural crime teams in the country, and a significant investment in technology has been made that is proving to help the police with cross-border crime in particular. In addition, I very much welcome the Chief Constable’s appointment as the national lead on crime in rural areas. Can more be done? Should more be done? Very much so, and I will continue to champion the needs of our rural communities, which has been one of my areas of focus for some considerable time.”

Julia, who is also chair of the National Rural Crime Network, added: “The NFU Mutual’s report once again highlights the need for police across the country to provide a strong service in rural communities. Both as Police and Crime Commissioner, and Chair of the National Rural Crime Network, I will continue to challenge the police on their commitment to rural areas as people living in the countryside deserve as strong a policing presence as their urban counterparts.

“So far, we have had some success in this work, for example on the back of the NRCN’s 2015 survey, we have seen a significant increase in the number of dedicated rural policing teams deployed around the country. However, there is still a way to go, as this report from NFU Mutual highlights.”

Read the NFU Mutual press release

NFU Mutual Press Release – Rural crime in North Yorkshire rises by almost 10%