- Plan has been developed by the National Rural Safety Forum, in conjunction with the Department of Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration, to build safer rural communities across Ireland.
- Building on the previous Plan which covered 2022-24, the latest Plan identifies four priority areas which member organisations will focus on: Community Safety & Engagement, Property Crime, Roads Safety, and Animal & Wildlife Crime.
- The development and publication of the new Plan fulfils a commitment in the Programme for Government 2025.
The Irish government will launch the Rural Safety Plan 2025-27 at the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Co. Offaly today.
The Rural Safety Plan 2025-27 has been developed by the National Rural Safety Forum in conjunction with the Department of Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration.
This Plan’s vision is to continue to build safe communities across rural Ireland. Achieving this vision requires a multi-agency, collaborative approach, including everything from having more visible Gardaí in the community – to providing safe public spaces and amenities.
The Core objectives of the Forum are:-
- Community Reassurance.
- Information Sharing & Communication Network
- Increased Community Engagement
- Crime Prevention & Crime Opportunity Reduction
Following an analysis of the previous Rural Safety Plan 2022-24; this new Plan identifies four priorities to address: Community Safety & Engagement, Property Crime, Roads Safety, and Animal & Wildlife Crime.
Under these four pillars, the 24 member organisations of the National Rural Safety Forum have committed to 18 actions which will be enabled by 53 sub-actions, all with a view to ensuring people are safe and feel safe in rural Ireland.
The National Rural Safety Forum is comprised of organisations and people with a common purpose of ensuring rural safety. The Forum is co-chaired by the IFA and An Garda Síochána, and is supported by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration.
The Forum works to develop a nationwide network for the distribution of consistent, highly effective crime prevention advice while also increasing engagement within communities and reducing the opportunities for crime.
Assistant Garda Commissioner Ms Paula Hilman said, “An Garda Síochána remains committed to rural Ireland and our community policing ethos. Through various collaborations including the National Rural Safety Forum, Community Alert schemes and new Community Safety Partnerships, An Garda Síochána is listening to and working with rural communities. This collaboration, must be and is supported by Gardaí who work, live, socialise and are embedded as part of all our communities.
Through initiatives such as Operation Thor, An Garda Síochána has targeted and taken on crime gangs who have caused significant worry to rural communities, leading to a significant decline in residential burglaries by 75% since its introduction in 2015.
An Garda Síochána will continue to listen, respond and support rural communities across all four pillars on the National Rural Safety Plan, Community Safety & Engagement, Property Crime, Roads Safety, and Animal & Wildlife Crime. An Garda Síochána is steadfast that we are here to help.”
The National Rural Safety Forum will now monitor the implementation of the Plan and evaluate the progress of the Plan during its lifetime.
A copy of the National Rural Safety Plan 2025-27 can be downloaded HERE.
More information can be found on the National Rural Safety Forum HERE.
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