TWO weeks remain for countryside communities to respond to the largest ever survey into rural crime.

The survey, launched by the National Rural Crime Network, is calling for people who work or live in rural areas to give their views on policing in their community.

It also wants residents to outline the impact crime and anti-social behaviour has on them and their neighbours – and help shape the future of crime prevention and rural policing.

Anyone living or working in rural areas is being encouraged to take part in the survey to help build a picture of what is a widespread but often misunderstood issue.

The new survey will assess how crime and anti-social behaviour – as well as the threat of potential crime – affects individuals, both financially and emotionally.

It will also shed light on the human implications of crime and the fear of crime seeking to explore the impact not just on individual victims, but also communities as a whole.

As well as farm-related crimes, the network wants to understand other issues that affect people in remoter rural areas – as well as in market towns, villages and the countryside more generally.

The National Rural Crime network is chaired by Julia Mulligan, who is also North Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner.

"The full scale of crime in rural areas has never before been assessed," she said.

"While official figures show rural crime, like crime in general, is decreasing, we are concerned about the wider implications on people and communities.

"The fear of crime can be as detrimental to people's wellbeing as crimes themselves, so we are keen to find out more through this survey.

"Our aim is to build a clear picture of the issue to shape future delivery of services locally and nationally.

"By completing the survey, people can really have their say on how crime affects them and what they expect from local police and their partners involved in community safety."

To complete the survey, click here.

The National Rural Crime Network is supported by 29 Police and Crime Commissioners and police forces across England and Wales.

It includes a range of organisations with an interest in community safety and rural affairs, including the National Farmers' Union, Historic England, Neighbourhood Watch and Crimestoppers.