THE 2018 National Rural Crime Survey is now open for submissions until Sunday June 10.

The survey aims to help the National Rural Crime Network assess the crime situation in rural areas.

The questionnaire asks people about topics including how crimes are reported, their effect on communities and the effectiveness of authorities dealing with crime.

Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson says: “I hope that anyone living or working in a rural community will spare a few minutes to complete this survey.

“It will provide a clear picture of what has improved, what challenges remain and what more government, police forces and organisations can do to support the most isolated parts of the country.”

This survey was previously carried out in 2015, which estimated that the cost of crime on rural communities was £800 million.

The updated questionnaire this year aims to assess if crime prevention in rural communities has improved since then.

The Network’s chair Julia Mulligan said: “The aim of the National Rural Crime Network is to see greater recognition and understanding of the problems and impact of crime in rural communities so more can be done to help them be safe – and feel safe.

“In order to achieve that, we need to know the true picture of crime and anti-social behaviour that residents and businesses face.

“The 2015 findings uncovered some difficult truths for all those involved in protecting rural areas and now is the right time to see whether lessons have been learnt, whether people are more willing to report the crime they are victims of and if they do indeed feel safer.”

The results of the survey will help inform National Police Chiefs’ Council’s Rural Affairs National Strategy for 2018-2021, which is due to be launched later this year.