Data from rural insurer supported by National Crime Agency report Information from the largest rural insurer strongly suggests that crime in the countryside increased by more than 20% in the first half of 2017. The figures given in Rural Crime Report 2017 released on 13 August by NFU Mutual shows a resurgence in criminal activity after a promising fall of 4% in 2016.

The challenge of deploying CCTV quickly Crime and anti-social behaviour can rear its head suddenly. News of places that are vulnerable because of gaps in security spread fast through word of mouth and social media. Once a hot-spot is established, the heat radiates out and can speedily see an area or district get a reputation, attracting more of the wrong sort of people and behaviours.