Setting the context: a brief overview of Scottish and international evidence of crime and policing in rural environments Nick Fyfe SIPR and University of Dundee

Scottish Government Urban/Rural Classification, Fold Classification Accessible areas are defined as those that are within a 30 minute drive time from the centre of a Settlement with a population of 10,000 or more, while Remote Areas have a drive time which is greater than 30 minutes. Images from Scottish Government GI Science & Analysis Team, August 2010

Crime in rural Scotland: constructing a rural idyll?

Aspects of Neighbourhood Particularly Liked by Geographic Area,

Experience of Neighbourhood Problems by Geographic Area, (% saying they have personal experience of problem)

Perceptions of Safety When at Home Alone at Night by Geographic Area,

Crime Victimisation and Perception of Change in Crime Rates Over Previous Two Years by Geographic Area,

Understanding crime in rural areas: why we need to challenge the ‘rural idyll’ Marginalises fear and anxiety; Obscures impacts of deprivation; Invokes notion of the ‘endangered countryside’ Specificity of rural crime.

Rural policing: themes from international research ‘localistic’ rather than ‘legalistic’ and ‘problem- solving’ rather than ‘enforcement led’; public tranquillity vs private disorder; entanglement of the private lives and public roles of officers; challenges around recruitment and retention; the extended rural policing family.

Concluding comments: the opportunities of police reform Enhanced localism; Developing a rural policing agenda for policy, training and research.