RURAL crime is on the rise in County Durham, according to new statistics from NFU Mutual.

A report published over the weekend found the cost to Durham’s countryside communities rose 7.4 per cent in 2017 to £402,000.

This is likely to be a vast underestimate. A lot of rural crime goes unreported. Country dwellers know police resources are scarce, and response times slow, so often simply don’t bother to report an overnight visit from poachers, or a suspicious vehicle in the area.

Last year a similar report into the issue claimed people living in the countryside feel “under siege” from criminals.

Of course, investigating rural crime is more of a challenge than investigating offences in urban areas. There is no CCTV, and livestock make poor witnesses. Then there is the challenging geography to contend with.

Communities have started to fight back, with social media playing its part in sharing information quickly, as well as volunteer networks in place such as Farmwatch.

But if the crime rate is to fall, it will take a joint effort from police and the community.

Firstly, it is crucial that all crimes are reported – policing priorities are determined by statistics, so it is vital that forces have a true picture of the problem. Secondly, police must reassure communities and work with them on projects such as equipment marking and farm security advice.

Some progress has been made, but there is clearly still a long way to go before the countryside becomes a no-go area for criminals.