RURAL crime is a concern for Barnsley East MP Stephanie Peacock.
She brought up the problem during a Parliamentary debate in the House of Commons on June 6.
South Yorkshire has seen a 54 per cent increase in insurance claims in rural communities which indicates a rise in the crime rate.
Stephanie said: “Policing in rural communities over sparsely populated areas is already difficult enough for our hardworking police services, but with resources and numbers down as a result of government cuts it’s even harder.
“Whilst government ministers may try to bury their heads in the sand and ignore the issue, it’s only getting worse for the people like my constituents who have personally told me of the crimes they’ve been victims of.”
Rural crime includes antisocial behaviour and theft of farming and equestrian equipment. In 2016, it was estimated that the national cost to the economy was £39m.
