Safe & Sound toolkit

Practical guidance for staying safe, supported and informed

What is rural crime?

Rural crime covers a wide range of offences affecting countryside and village life, including:

  • Theft of machinery, tools, vehicles, fuel and GPS equipment
  • Livestock theft, injury or worrying
  • Fly‑tipping and illegal waste dumping
  • Damage to dry stone walls, gates, fencing and heritage sites
  • Trespass, illegal off‑roading and anti‑social behaviour
  • Wildlife and environmental crime

Even incidents where nothing was taken are important to report – patterns matter.

Why this toolkit matters

Rural crime isn’t always dramatic – but its impact can be lasting. From fly‑tipping and trespass to organised theft and livestock worrying, incidents often go unreported.

This toolkit is designed to:

  • Help you spot and reduce risks
  • Encourage reporting – even when incidents feel minor
  • Connect you with local support

Every report and every small action helps protect our rural communities.

Report it – Even if it feels small

Information from you leads to arrests, charges and convictions.

Police rely on information from rural communities to:

  • Identify crime patterns and hotspots
  • Link incidents across locations
  • Target patrols and resources
  • Tackle organised rural crime

How to report:

  • Emergency: always call 999
  • Non‑emergency: call 101 or report online
  • Anonymous reporting: Crimestoppers

If it doesn’t feel urgent, it’s still worth reporting.

Farm Watch Alerts

Sign up for Farm Watch alerts https://www.derbyshirealert.co.uk/