MSc Rural and Environmental Crime and Policing

Course Overview

With growing public awareness, and concern, about rural and environmental crime, and how to mitigate it, there is increasing demand for specialist practitioners in this field.

Whether your interest is in an enforcement or compliance capacity our MSc in Rural and Environmental Crime and Policing will equip you with the skills and insights to help you prevent this multi-faceted form of offending and to tackle it when it happens.

Causes, context and legislation

The course looks closely at all types of rural and environmental crime, from theft from farms and hare coursing, through modern slavery and organised crime in the rural setting, to heritage crime and environmental offences such as fly-tipping or wildlife crime. You will consider the causes and context of such offending and the explanations offered by rural and green criminologies alongside the legislation in place to deal with it.

A unique focus on practical skills

Unlike other courses which focus primarily on the law, this master’s takes a strong practical perspective. Using case studies, and specialist insights from industry experts, you will explore how the relevant legislation translates into practical compliance and enforcement.

You will gain an appreciation of the complexity of rural and environmental crime, but also go away with the legal and enforcement practices increasingly sought after in this field.

Who is it for?

This master’s is for anyone with a professional or personal interest in rural and environmental crime, either in an enforcement, compliance, or management role.

This includes rural police officers and those working for organisations with an evidence gathering or prosecuting responsibility, such as environmental agencies, local authorities, charities, and other organisations responsible for tackling offending in the countryside or protecting our natural environment.

The course is also aimed at those with compliance responsibility, particularly businesses or agencies required to take environmental regulation and legislation into account in their day-to-day activities.

Course Details

You will benefit from working with academics with extensive experience in policing, who can offer you first-hand operational insights, and are involved in the latest research into rural and environmental crime.

Subject experts will also share their perspectives on different aspects of enforcement or compliance, from the persecution of protected birds and animals, to mitigating environmental risks in the agricultural and quarrying industries.

You will graduate with:

• a solid base of knowledge of the law relating to rural and environmental crime
• an understanding of the practicalities of that law, and how it is applied in different enforcement or compliance situations
• specialist subject knowledge in the area of rural and environmental crime that most interests you.

Extended project

In the latter stages of the course, you will work on an extended dissertation, focusing on an area of enforcement or compliance of particular interest to you.

What are my career prospects?

By the end of the programme, you will be in a strong position to manage and mitigate the threats posed by rural and environmental crime, be that in an investigative or a compliance role.

You will be well placed to work at a senior level in agencies with an enforcement or compliance responsibility in rural or other environmentally-sensitive settings.