An exclusive countryside? Crime concern, social exclusion and community policing in two English villages

Abstract

Using the example of two English villages, this paper examines whether rural crime concern is evidence of an 'exclusive society' (Young, 2002) in the countryside. Specific attention is given to concerns expressed by residents as part of a consultation exercise to establish community-based policing partnerships in rural areas of the West Mercia Constabulary. Based on these findings the paper goes on to question whether local policing partnerships are capable of shaping idyllic visions of rural space in an exclusionary way. It is argued that while it is important to examine the spatialised rhetoric of rural crime concern, structural processes, rather than localised discourses, make a greater contribution to exclusion in the countryside

Lost and hound: The more-than-human networks of rural policing

“…As noted in Section 2.1, there are dangers that partnerships in rural areas might empower rural elites to exclude people on the grounds of cultural rather than criminal threat (Yarwood, 2010a). These have been viewed as a way of enforcing a particular moral order (Coleman, 2004) that shows little evidence of respect or tolerance towards others (Fyfe et al, 2006).…”

“…More often than not, these visions tend to exclude on a cultural rather than a criminal basis. Certain groups, such as young people (Yarwood and Gardner, 2000), travellers or ethnic minorities (Vanderbeck, 2003), are more likely to be the target of community-based initiatives rather participants within in them (Gilling, 2011;Yarwood, 2010a). Rather than one rural community, there are many; raising questions about whether policing is for or of particular communities.…”

“…The intention is that voluntary, state and private agencies should work in partnership with the police in particular localities to identify and resolve crime and safety issues affecting them. Examples have included the establishment of Neighbourhood Watch schemes (Yarwood and Edwards, 1995); the development of village-based crime and safety partnerships (Small, 2001;Yarwood, 2007aYarwood, , 2010a; the deployment of residents' patrols (Thurman and McGarrell, 2005); greater use of unsworn police officers from local communities (for example aboriginal officers, neighbourhood wardens and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs)) and the re-skilling of police officers to work more closely with rural communities (Cunneen, 2001;Fyfe, 1995;Smith, 2010). There may also be efforts to police areas in ways that are sympathetic to local cultures or viewpoints by, for example, working in partnership with community leaders or minority groups.…”

“…These have been viewed as a way of enforcing a particular moral order (Coleman, 2004) that shows little evidence of respect or tolerance towards others (Fyfe et al, 2006). One example of a community-based crime and safety partnership scheme in rural England centred on 'designing crime out' of its village and was directly largely at young people who were deemed to be out of place by 'hanging around' certain locations (Yarwood, 2010a).…”

The business of farm crime: evaluating trust in the police and reporting of offences

“…It is important to note that much of the writing on police legitimacy is focused upon urban populations and the associated issues of race, economic status, etc., and -common to much criminological research -rural crime and rural policing have been largely neglected (Donnermeyer and DeKeseredy, 2008). Within rural and farming communities, the allocation of police time and resources has been severely criticised, with accusations that farm crime is not taken seriously and levels of trust and confidence in the police to address these problems have diminished (Yarwood, 2010). As a result, much of the criminal activity experienced in rural locations -particularly uninsured losses -goes unreported and further reduces expectations of protection/prosecution.…”