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<p>The Government has not made a specific assessment of the effect that crime committed
in rural areas has had on the economy.<br><br>Police reform is working, and crime
has fallen by more than 20 per cent under this Coalition Government, according to
the independent Crime Survey for England and Wales. <br><br>The latest Crime Survey
data shows that the proportion of adults who were victims of crime was substantially
lower in rural than urban areas. However, the Coalition Government recognises that
rural communities may be particularly vulnerable to certain crime types, including
theft of fuel, agricultural machinery and metal, which we recognise will have an economic
impact on communities. Local initiatives such as Farm Watch, have shown themselves
to be part of the response to such crimes where they operate. <br><br>The election
of Police and Crime Commissioners in England and Wales has given communities, including
rural communities, a stronger voice in determining how police resources are allocated
to tackle the crimes that matter most to them. In addition, the Home Office awarded
around £40,000 to the National Rural Crime Network from the Police Innovation Fund
earlier this year. This will help to reduce crime in rural areas by providing information
and support for rural communities and encouraging direct interaction between businesses,
organisations and the police.<br><br>We also welcome the recent launch of the Centre
for Rural Policing and Justice in Dyfed Powys. This has been led by the Police and
Crime Commissioner and will see the police collaborating with the Cardiff-based Universities’
Police Science Institute to develop new expertise in keeping rural communities safe.</p><p>
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