Crime Reduction - Helping to Reduce Crime in Your Area

The British Crime Survey 2001 will be published shortly. The information below relates to 1996 and will be updated as soon as possible.

Risks of victimisation are lower in rural areas than elsewhere. In 1995, 3.9% of households in rural areas were burgled, compared with 10.3% of those in inner-city areas and 6.3% of those in other urban areas.

• Risks of vandalism, burglary and vehicle-related theft were also lower for retail and manufacturing premises in rural locations.

• Thefts of and from vehicles form a larger proportion of household crimes in rural areas than elsewhere, reflecting higher levels of vehicle ownership. Burglary forms a smaller proportion of crime in rural areas than elsewhere.

• Recent trends in domestic crime show a similar pattern for all parts of the country.

• Following a rise between 1991 and 1993, levels of burglary and vehicle-related thefts fell or levelled off between 1993 and 1995 but contact crime continued to rise in all areas.

• People living in rural areas are far less concerned about falling victim to crime than those living in other parts of the country. Despite their older age profile, they also feel safer on their local streets.

• Perceived levels of social and physical disorder are also considerably lower in rural areas. Of greatest concern, as elsewhere, are rubbish and vandalism, teenagers hanging around and drug use.

• Public confidence in the police is higher in rural areas than elsewhere, as is satisfaction with the service provided by the police to victims reporting crimes.

Getting a copy

The full 2002 document is available in PDF format from the Home Office RDS website