How secure are our rural homes?

The typical New Zealand farmhouse is set back from the road, not too close to any nearby houses. Surrounded by paddocks, it usually has a garden of flowers and shrubs, and often some screening with bigger trees or hedging. Such a scene adds to the attractiveness of our green and pleasant land, but it can also be very attractive to anyone contemplating the possibility of criminal activity out of sight – or sound – of neighbours. The establishment of neighbourhood watch schemes and neighbourhood support groups in our local urban areas is seen by the law enforcement agencies to be a very positive step towards the prevention of crime in residential areas; but will this encourage the criminal into the countryside? Should rural people be taking similar measures toward their own protection? Do rural dwellers feel that any such precautions are necessary; do they believe themselves to be at risk from the threat of criminal activity?