Rural Crime in Africa: Notes of a Webinar held on 8 May 2024

The Rural Crime in Africa webinar, held on 8 May 2024, brought together leading scholars, practitioners and researchers to explore the complexities of rural crime across the continent. Organised by Willie Clack and moderated by Wendell C. Wallace, the event highlighted key themes, including the typologies of rural crime, challenges in data collection, police-community relations and the need for policy-driven research. The presenters, Emmanuel Bunei, Witness Maluleke, Cecili Doorewaard-Janse van Vuuren and Willie Clack, examined issues including livestock theft, victim neglect and law enforcement effectiveness. Discussions underscored the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, evidence-based policymaking and fostering trust between farmers and police. A recurring theme was the need to document and consolidate research through scholarly publications, as advocated by Wendell Wallace. The webinar reinforced the urgency of addressing rural crime through comprehensive research, victim-centred strategies and enhanced governance. By fostering international collaboration and promoting knowledge exchange, the event contributed to a deeper understanding of rural criminology in Africa. Moving forward, the insights shared will serve as a foundation for developing innovative solutions to improve safety and justice in rural communities across the continent.