Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Peter McCall, has been appointed the Vice-Chair of the National Rural Crime Network. The National Rural Crime Network is a collaboration between Police and Crime Commissioners and various organisations including National Farmers Union (NFU), Crimestoppers and Countryside Alliance.

The National Rural Crime Network works towards seeing greater recognition and understanding of the problems and impact of crime in rural areas throughout the UK, so more can be done to keep people safer.

Rural Crime is one of Peter McCall’s priorities as PCC, with an aim to not only tackle rural crime, but to assist and educate the rural communities on how to prevent becoming a victim of crime.

Speaking on his appointment, Peter McCall, said: “Being appointed Vice-Chair of the National Rural Crime Network is a great opportunity to learn more about the impacts of rural crime and how PCCs, Police and other rural-focused organisations can work together to prevent these crimes.

“Cumbria is a mostly rural county therefore rural crime is a high priority to me as Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner.

“A key area I will be focusing on will be raising awareness and highlighting preventative measures to reduce the likelihood of rural residents in Cumbria, becoming targets of criminals.

“In November 2019, Cumbria Constabulary and I held a marking event at Kirkby Stephen Auction Mart to fit agricultural vehicles with security trackers at a reduced cost. The £150 CESAR tags were offered to all rural businesses for £50 to help heighten vehicle security with the extra cost being covered by my office.

“Early 2020, I funded 150 security kits to be given to farmers, free of charge, to mark and register their property to both deter criminals and, if stolen, increase their chances of getting their property returned. All 150 were taken up by farmers and rural businesses across the county.

“I funded the Keep Safe initative, a specialist crime prevention training for Cumbria’s Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) aimed at helping people to protect themselves and their property including bespoke advice for rural communities.

“I am keen to continue my work to tackle and prevent rural crime in Cumbria and on a national scale with the National Rural Crime Network – together we can create safer communities for all.”