LANCASHIRE countryside residents have been urged to take part in a consultation on policing.

Yesterday the National Rural Crime Survey was launched.

The county's Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw said: "Previous surveys have suggested that crime in rural areas is under-reported and I want to understand if this is the case in Lancashire and if it is, why?

"Protecting rural communities is as much a priority for me as policing our towns and cities.

" I hope residents will take the time to complete this survey to further add to the police’s understanding of the cost of rural crime.

"This survey is about ensuring our rural communities get their voices heard. I want to know more about the sorts of crime people are experiencing, whether they are reporting it to the police as well as how they want to engage."