Stuart Anderson MP Launches Campaign to Make South Shropshire Safer
A campaign has been launched to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in South Shropshire. It has been initiated by Stuart Anderson MP as part of ASB Awareness Week, which is running between 18th and 24th November 2024. Organised by community safety organisation Resolute, this year’s theme is ‘Making Communities Safer.’ The week of action brings together people and organisations from across the country to take a stand against ASB and work together to make our communities safer.
Stuart is using the opportunity to highlight the impact of rural crime on communities, and to campaign for greater investment in policing rural areas. It follows research published by the National Farmers’ Union, stating that the cost of rural crime increased by 4.3% in 2023 - with the Midlands recording the highest regional cost of crime at £11.7 billion. Shropshire has been rated the third worst affected county for rural crime for two consecutive years.
Stuart has called for an uplift to rural policing when the funding settlement is published next month, after it emerged that increases to employer’s National Insurance Contributions will cost West Mercia Police more than £4 million if they are not reimbursed or exempted from the tax hike. Without support, officers may have to be withdrawn from the frontline.
Stuart’s call is the latest step in his long-term campaign to tackle rural crime. It was launched in August, when he called on the government to reform the national police funding formula and establish a rural uplift to recognise the extra challenges of policing rural areas. Prior to the general election, the last government had been undertaking a review to ensure that funding to police forces is allocated in a fairer and more transparent manner.
Despite the pressures on frontline services, Stuart has also urged residents not to suffer in silence if they experience ASB. Incidents can be reported to the Anti-Social Behaviour team at Shropshire Council, or to the Police if people feel that they are at immediate risk or in danger.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
“Crime and anti-social behaviour has a devastating impact on rural communities. I want people everywhere to feel secure in their communities and to be able to live their lives free from the threat of crime and anti-social behaviour. ASB should be treated as a priority, it is not low level and is often a precursor to serious crime. Police officers must be empowered to tackle farm equipment theft, fly-tipping and other types of rural crime. So, on ASB Awareness Week, I am calling on Ministers to uplift the funding to recognise the extra challenges of policing rural areas.”
Rebecca Bryant OBE, Chief Executive of Resolve added:
“ASB is not low-level. It can have a devastating and long-lasting impact on the lives of victims and communities and can be a precursor to more serious crime. It is important that the challenge of ASB continues to be given the priority it needs so that people everywhere feel safe in their homes and communities. We are delighted that Stuart Anderson MP is supporting this hugely important campaign. It is vital to develop partnership approaches across communities to deal with the growing challenges around ASB."
Resolve is a centre of excellence solely focused upon community safety and anti-social behaviour (ASB). It professionalises the sector by helping organisations to effectively deal with community safety and ASB issues through training, support, guidance, and sharing best practice. For more information about ASB Awareness Week, please visit www.resolveuk.org.uk.
