Alliance Ministers, Naomi Long and Andrew Muir, have officially launched Rural Crime Awareness Week, taking place from September 23rd-27th. The Department of Justice and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs are partnered with the PSNI, Ulster Farmers’ Union, Young Farmers’ Clubs, Police and Community Safety Partnerships, the Federation of Small Businesses, and NFU Mutual as part of the robust Rural Crime Partnership (RCP).
Mr Blair has said: “During my time as an elected representative, I have unfortunately witnessed many incidents of rural crime in my constituency. I know these crimes are taken very seriously, and Rural Crime Awareness Week provides us with an opportunity to demonstrate our support for those who work tirelessly to combat rural crime.
“Rural crime has a profound and far-reaching impact. It affects agriculture and livestock, small businesses, and the rural economy as a whole. Additionally, it creates fear and anxiety in rural communities and undermines trust and community cohesion.
“I am glad to see that awareness is being promoted in my local area of South Antrim through the efforts of the Antrim and Newtownabbey PSNI, and I thank the Alliance Ministers for their efforts on this. Collaborative efforts among all partners involved in the Rural Crime Partnership will create a more effective platform to address and prevent these crimes, and Rural Crime Awareness Week will also raise public awareness of the available support and the importance of encouraging more reporting to the police.”
Mr Blair has said: “During my time as an elected representative, I have unfortunately witnessed many incidents of rural crime in my constituency. I know these crimes are taken very seriously, and Rural Crime Awareness Week provides us with an opportunity to demonstrate our support for those who work tirelessly to combat rural crime.
“Rural crime has a profound and far-reaching impact. It affects agriculture and livestock, small businesses, and the rural economy as a whole. Additionally, it creates fear and anxiety in rural communities and undermines trust and community cohesion.
“I am glad to see that awareness is being promoted in my local area of South Antrim through the efforts of the Antrim and Newtownabbey PSNI, and I thank the Alliance Ministers for their efforts on this. Collaborative efforts among all partners involved in the Rural Crime Partnership will create a more effective platform to address and prevent these crimes, and Rural Crime Awareness Week will also raise public awareness of the available support and the importance of encouraging more reporting to the police.”