POLICE and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill has urged Dorset residents to take part in a major survey about rural crime.

The National Rural Crime Network (NRCN) has launched the biggest ever study into crime and anti-social behaviour in the countryside.

And those interested have just over a month to make their feelings known.

Anyone living or working in rural areas is being encouraged to take part to help build a picture of what is a widespread, but often misunderstood, issue.

The new survey will assess how crime and anti-social behaviour, as well as the threat of potential crime, affects individuals, both financially and emotionally. It will also shed light on the human implications of crime and the fear of crime to explore the impact on individual victims and communities as a whole.

Mr Underhill said: “We have beautiful countryside right on our doorstep but this isn’t just attractive to us, but also criminals who wish to commit crime.

"This has a huge impact on those living in rural areas and costs over £53 million nationally to the economy. Over 40 per cent of residents in Dorset are classed as living in a ‘significantly rural’ setting and therefore it is only right that we prioritise preventing and detecting crimes in these communities.”

The survey, which is taking place with support from the Home Office, aims to build a body of information to improve national awareness of crime in rural areas as well as provide a clearer picture of attitudes towards crime to help inform government and local policy.

Martyn Underhill added: "While we’ve seen a reduction in rural crime recently, I would encourage residents to take part in the survey as it is vital we continue to work hard to reduce these highly impactive crimes.”

The survey will be open until Wednesday, June 24, and can be completed at nationalruralcrimenetwork.net/survey