The establishment of the Rural Engagement and Business Crime Teams, working closely with our rural and business communities in Essex, have created greater resilience within those communities, preventing crime and protecting and safeguarding the vulnerable across the county. They have helped keep rural businesses safer and more free from crime. 

I will look to make further investment in fighting rural crimes, including hare coursing, unlawful incursions, and fly-tipping, as well as theft of major plant and equipment. The government’s new legislation to make aggravated trespass a criminal offence has reduced damage and disruption to rural lives and businesses. Unlawful incursions have been reduced by three quarters relative to where they were eight years ago, and hare coursing and plant theft have been halved. We must ensure that these gains are built on, and not eroded. 

Vulnerability and isolation are significant issues in rural communities, and I will ensure Police and Fire & Rescue work more closely together to protect those in rural and isolated settings through joint advice and support. The Tri-Service Community Officer pilot in Maldon and Uttlesford has brought clear benefits. We need to refine the model and develop it so as to prevent crime and reduce vulnerability in rural communities. We must invest time and energy better to understand the specific nature and impact of domestic abuse in rural communities and identify and implement initiatives that will prevent and tackle it.