CRIME concerns of farmers and others who live or earn their living in rural Wiltshire are to be addressed thanks to a new consultation.

Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson launched the major consultation with the rural community on Monday.

The survey on the commissioner's website http://www.wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk has the backing of the National Farmers Union (NFU) and the Country Land and Business Association (CLA).

Mr Macpherson said his aim is to find out what is worrying the agricultural community.

He said: “If they say they do not feel secure then that raises a question as to whether we are spending our money properly and whether the balance is right between the spending on urban and rural policing."

CLA South West director John Mortimer said: “Neither the police nor the Government will ever get a clear picture of the true extent of rural crime if people do not report all criminal activity in our rural communities and that, in turn, will affect the funding available to carry on the fight against rural crime."

Melanie Squires, South West Regional director of the NFU, said: “With more than 80 per cent of the Wiltshire and Swindon land area managed by commercial farm businesses, rural crime is a very real and significant concern for our members."

The survey closes on Friday November 14.