Safer Roots, Stronger Communities: How Homes Keep Our Countryside Secure

Introduction: A Vision for a Secure and Thriving Countryside 

The English countryside represents a vision of peace, security, and community. It is a vision of villages where neighbours look out for one another, where children can play safely, and where a powerful sense of belonging forms the bedrock of daily life. For generations, this has been more than an ideal; it has been a lived reality. Today, we have a historic opportunity to strengthen this legacy for the future. 

This is not a story about the threat of crime, but a story about the power of community. It is about recognising that the safest villages are not just the best-policed, but the most vibrant, cohesive, and connected. The true foundation of a secure countryside lies in its social fabric, and the cornerstone of that fabric is the availability of good, affordable homes for local people. 

This report, for #RuralHousingWeek 2025, presents a compelling, evidence-based case that investing in affordable rural housing is one of the most powerful and proactive strategies for building safer communities. By ensuring that young families, key workers, and lifelong residents can afford to live in the places they call home, we foster the natural guardianship and social bonds that are the most effective deterrents to crime. This is a blueprint for moving beyond reaction and towards prevention, building a future where our countryside is not just preserved, but is a flourishing, secure, and resilient home for all. 

The Foundations of a Safe Community 

The principles of what makes a community safe are well-established. They are not complex theories, but simple truths about human connection and pride of place. When these foundations are strong, communities thrive, and crime cannot gain a foothold. Investing in affordable housing is the most direct way to reinforce these foundations. 

The Power of Presence 

The simple presence of people creates safety. Jane Jacobs, the celebrated urbanist, called it “eyes on the street”–the natural surveillance that occurs when streets are active and homes are occupied. Empty properties and dark windows, however, can signal that a neighbourhood is unwatched. The rise in second homes and short-term holiday lets, which have grown by over 600% in some rural areas, can erode this natural guardianship. By bringing England’s 272,000 long-term empty homes back to life and prioritising residential use, we can restore the constant, watchful presence that keeps communities safe. 

The Strength of Stability 

Stable communities are safer communities. When people put down roots, they build trust with their neighbours and develop what sociologists call “collective efficacy”–a shared willingness to look out for one another and uphold community standards. A landmark study from the London School of Economics on the ‘Right to Buy’ policy found that as homeownership increased, it generated significant and lasting reductions in crime, driven by the behavioural changes of residents who now had a tangible stake in their community. By providing secure, affordable homes, we reduce the churn of the private rental market and empower people to invest in the long-term safety and well-being of their neighbourhood. 

The Value of Investment 

The physical state of a neighbourhood sends a powerful message. Well-maintained homes and public spaces signal a community that is cared for and respected. A pioneering study in Philadelphia found that a programme funding basic housing repairs led to a remarkable 22% reduction in crime. The social return on investment is enormous. Recent UK analysis shows that building 90,000 new social homes could generate £3.1 billion in savings from reduced crime alone. This is a clear demonstration that investing in the quality of our housing stock is a direct investment in the safety of our streets. 

Building Security, One Home at a Time: Stories from the Frontline 

The link between good housing and safe communities is not just theoretical. Across the country, affordable housing developments are already proving to be a powerful catalyst for building security and belonging. 

The Old Rectory, Bath and North East Somerset – From Neglect to Neighbourhood Stability 

Once a struggling housing co-operative, The Old Rectory was transferred to English Rural in 2017 to secure its long-term future. The property had suffered from poor tenancy management and lacked policies to tackle antisocial behaviour. Following the transfer, English Rural introduced formal tenancy agreements, implemented a clear anti-social behaviour policy, and undertook extensive improvements to compliance and property standards. Residents now benefit from safer, more secure homes and a stable community. As one resident shared: “English Rural rescued us from a very difficult situation… they are helping to transform the Old Rectory into a happy home for us all once more.” 

Bolney, West Sussex – When Roots Run Deep, Communities Grow Strong 

In Bolney, a small English Rural development enabled local families to stay in the village and contribute actively to community life. One resident described how affordable housing allowed her family to settle down, send their children to the local school, and get involved in village activities. Over time, she became a Parish Councillor, Brownie leader, church council member, and youth group organiser – while her neighbours supported fundraising, sports coaching, and caring for elderly relatives. She reflected: “When you know a community, there is a sense of ownership and responsibility to be part of it.” This shared commitment creates the social glue that keeps a village thriving – and fosters the informal networks of neighbourhood vigilance that deter crime and nurture community safety. 

A Path to Safety in Dorset 

For four years, a man named Chris slept rough in the woodlands of Dorset, vulnerable and far from help. His life was transformed by a Rural Housing First pilot programme, which recognised that a secure home is the first step to recovery and safety. By providing him with a stable home and flexible support, the programme broke the cycle of homelessness that so often intersects with crime. Crucially, it allowed him to remain in his community, close to his work and support networks, demonstrating how the right housing solution provides not just shelter, but a profound sense of security. 

A Blueprint for Building Safer Villages 

Central to this blueprint are the specialist rural housing associations, such as English Rural, that act as the delivery vehicle for creating and maintaining these secure homes. These organisations are more than just developers; they are long-term community partners. By professionally managing tenancies and investing in the upkeep of properties, they actively prevent the decline and neglect that can foster anti-social behaviour. Their not-for-profit status enables them to focus on the well-being of residents and the wider community, ensuring that the homes they provide serve as stable anchors that enhance local safety for decades to come.

Conclusion: A Call to Action for a Safer Countryside 

The fight for safer rural communities cannot be won by policing alone. A truly preventative approach must address the root causes of vulnerability, and the evidence is clear that a chronic lack of affordable housing can weaken the social fabric that keeps people safe. 

This report has demonstrated that there is another way. Investing in secure, high-quality, genuinely affordable rural homes is a proven and scalable strategy to strengthen community resilience and restore a sense of safety to our countryside. By developing well-designed, affordable homes to generate more “eyes on the street”, fostering stable neighbourhoods, and ensuring key workers can live in the communities they serve, we build villages with a constant, watchful presence and the strong social bonds that criminals fear most. 

For Rural Housing Week 2025, we call for a new focus on housing as a cornerstone of community safety. This is our opportunity to move beyond simply managing crime and towards proactively building the strong, vibrant, and secure countryside that we all want to see. 

References 

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