About Us

About Us

Rural SafeGuard™ was created by a group of Chartered Security Professionals (CSyP) who are dedicated to the UK countryside and agricultural industry. Backed by knowledgeable, trusted, and experienced security consultants, this nationwide initiative aims to assist farmers and landowners in minimising their crime risk to As Low As Reasonably Practicable (ALARP).

Five Levels of Protection

A logical, repeatable, & defensible process grounded in scientific research that provides a structured professional outcome.

Our Methodology

Deter, Detect, Delay, and
Respond to Rural Criminals

We review farm defences, share knowledge and training, verify security products and services, and offer post-incident support. Our programme consists of five levels – Secure, Inform, Influence, Assist, and Respond.

Working alongside the farming membership bodies, the agricultural insurers, local authorities, and the commercial security sector, we have built a trusted rural crime reduction standard that complements the UK‘s Wildlife and Rural Crime Policing Strategy.

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Our Mission

A desire to see safer rural communities for all to live, work, rest, and play; whilst creating an agricultural industry that chooses to thrive and not just survive.

Equip farmers with skills, knowledge and training needed to safeguard their people, property, and livestock from organised and opportunistic crime.

Be a trusted source of information to demystify the journey to create secure and low crime agricultural businesses.

Work to improve farm defenses and influence behaviours to increase resilience whilst minimising post incident recovery time.

Encourage new entrants in the farming and agricultural industry to nurture an entrepreneurial mindset to support our aims.

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Professional security audits​

Toolbox Talks and in-field peer-to-peer learning​

Post-incident support and recovery guidance​

Targeted training and behaviour change​

A trusted certification system​

360°

Security.
End-to-End. No Blind Spots.

Layered Protection Model

A complete, end-to-end approach that brings standards, support, and smarter rural crime reduction together in one trusted framework.

Our Team Members

Meet the Expert Programme Leaders

Frank Cannon CSyP

Programme
Director

M: +458 (0)87958 35149
T: +78 (0)740 7118 6898
E: richard@optimalrisk.com

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Frank, a farmer’s son from the Fens, has built a 40+ year career in military police and commercial security. With a post-graduate degree focused on critical infrastructure protection and experience in oil, gas, construction, and civilian nuclear industries, he is skilled at securing areas beyond traditional boundaries.

Mike O’Neill CSyP

Managing Director at Optimal Risk Group

M: +44 (0)7768 354009
T: +44 (0)20 7118 8870
E: mike@optimalrisk.com

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Mike is a serial entrepreneur who serves on several security sector boards and think tanks. With his unmatched almanac across the global security community, he skilfully connects problems to effective solutions.

Rick Mounfield CSyP

Director at Optimal Risk Group

M: +44 (0)7850 445867
M: +44 (0)20 7118 8870
E: rick.mounfield@optimalrisk.com

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Rick applies traditional approaches to address future challenges. With five years as CEO of The Security Institute, the UK’s largest organisation for security leaders, he ranks among the sector’s most influential figures. He possesses extensive expertise in safeguarding a wide range of environments.

Richard West CSyP

Associate Consultant Programme Director

M: +458 (0)87958 35149
T: +78 (0)740 7118 6898
E: richard@optimalrisk.com

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Richard uses his strategic thinking to condense complex challenges into simple solutions. In partnership with Harper Adams, his focus is delivering a digital platform to share crime reduction information and guidance to those that need it — in a way they want it.

Charlie Frank CSyP

Associate
Consultant

M: +74 (0)77 50 4414167
M: +94 (0)50 0008 88702
E: charlie@optimalrisk.com

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Charlie is a Chartered Security Professional and Principal Member of the Register of Security Engineers & Specialists (RSES). From an armed policing background, he’s operated across defence, pharmaceuticals, infrastructure, construction, manufacturing, and major events—delivering protective security risk management and resilience, helping clients make clear, confident decisions when it matters most.

Why was Rural SafeGuard™ created?

The programme was created to tackle criminals who are becoming more advanced and exploit modern transport networks to take advantage of weaknesses in policing, such as limited cooperation among the 43 territorial forces. Rural SafeGuard™ offers affordable solutions to reinforce rural properties. These criminals are flexible and well-organised, often outpacing law enforcement efforts. Rural SafeGuard™ aims to reduce both the risk and consequences of crime in rural areas.

A reliable Rural SafeGuard™ consultant will come to your farm to learn about your business and lifestyle. During a guided farm walk, they will collect information and digital images to create a visually engaging report highlighting potential areas for improvement.

No. The programme offers advise to reduce the negative impacts of most crimes associated with the rural community. Whilst theft is prevalent, guidance is available on hare coursing, malicious damage (including arson), fly tipping, unwanted incursions (trespass), and activism.

This is work-in-progress and will include two stages: first, a self-assessment, and then an independent review conducted by a trusted Rural SafeGuard™ consultant. Continued talks with specialised insurance providers aim to secure reduced annual premium rates.

Indeed, the goal is for the Rural SafeGuard™ programme to become the benchmark for farm protection. We will keep engaging with specialised insurance companies to highlight the growing awareness and positive behavioural shifts among our members.