DORSET residents are being urged to take part in the largest ever survey into crime and anti-social Behaviour (ASB).

The survey, launched by the National Rural Crime Network (NRCN), is calling for people who work or live in rural areas to come forward and give their views on policing in their community, the impact crime and ASB has on them and their neighbours and to ultimately help shape the future of crime prevention and rural policing.

You don’t need to have been a victim of crime to have a view on how the police work. You may be concerned about police visibility or response, see incidents that go unreported, or you may have a local officer who is engaged and proactive.

Against a backdrop of policing budget reductions and a growing focus on higher crime areas, the new survey will assess how crime and ASB, as well as the threat of potential crime, affects individuals, both financially and emotionally.

Martyn Underhill, Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner 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, which has a huge impact on those living in rural areas and costs over £53m nationally to the economy.

"More than 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.

While the survey will aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the scale and financial cost of crime and anti-social behaviour, it will also measure the emotional impact of crime in rural areas by asking how incidents made victims feel and the longer term effects on confidence and security.

Martyn Underhill said: “The National Rural Crime Network is running the biggest ever survey which gives residents across the country the chance to have their say and influence national policy. Whilst 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 National Rural Crime Network (NRCN) is supported by 29 Police and Crime Commissioners and police forces across England and Wales. The Network, established in July 2014, includes a wide range of organisations with an interest in community safety and rural affairs such as the National Farmers Union, Historic England, Neighbourhood Watch and Crimestoppers.