‘Double whammy’ threat to country policing
Douglas Chalmers, director of policy and public affairs at the Country Land and Business Association North, said rural people felt “particularly at risk” because of their isolation.
He said: “You are further from help, whether that is a next door neighbour or nearest police station. Rural people feel vulnerable, they feel police resources are somewhere else and in many respects they are easy targets for a criminal.”
Mark Botham of North Yorkshire’s Police Federation said: “Since 2007 we have seen a reduction already of over 300 police officers in North Yorkshire. We are concerned that any further cuts in the budget or officer numbers will put our members and the public at risk.”