WEST Somerset MP Rachel Gilmour has demanded better Government funding to tackle the ‘scourge’ of rural and coastal crime.

Mrs Gilmour led a number of Liberal Democrat MPs from across the Westcountry in writing to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to call for more investment in police services in rural and coastal areas.

It follows concern raised last week by several senior police chiefs about the Government’s ability to deliver on its pledges to tackle serious crime.

Currently, just 0.4 per cent of police officers in England and Wales are dedicated to rural crime.

Mrs Gilmour said in the letter there were not enough police resources to tackle rising rates of crime in rural areas.

She also called for a ‘Copper Countryside Guarantee’ which would see dedicated rural crime teams of specialists embedded in every police force.

Mrs Gilmour said: “We are worried that the direction of travel will continue to see rural crime not treated with the seriousness it deserves.

“This cannot happen, and our constituents will be deeply let down if it is allowed to continue.

“There is a scourge of crime in many of our rural and coastal communities.

“As a result, too many feel the police do not take these crimes seriously enough and, in some cases, do not even bother reporting it.

“Currently, police staff dedicated to rural crime teams is nowhere enough to tackle the rise of anti-social behaviour and other crime in rural communities.

“This is why we have written to the Home Secretary to demand more funding to tackle rural and coastal crime.

“The Liberal Democrats are calling for dedicated rural crime teams embedded in every police force.

“Everybody deserves to feel safe where they live.

“The Government must urgently step up and deliver the change that our rural and coastal communities deserve.”