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Privacy Policy

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This Privacy Policy explains how CountrysideWatch UK (“we”, “us” or “our”) collects, uses, and protects your personal data when you visit our website www.countrysidewatch.co.uk or engage with us via email, social media, or other digital channels.

We are committed to safeguarding your privacy and ensuring that your personal information is handled in accordance with UK data protection law, including the General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR).

1. Who We Are

CountrysideWatch UK is a community-led platform that raises awareness of rural crime, shares alerts, publishes advice, and supports crime prevention across the UK. For data protection purposes, we are the data controller.

If you have any questions about this policy, you can contact us at:
📧 info@countrysidewatch.co.uk

2. What Data We Collect

We may collect the following types of personal information when you use our website or services:

  • Email address (if you contact us or sign up to alerts)

  • Name (if provided voluntarily)

  • IP address and browser/device information (automatically collected for analytics and security)

  • Location data (based on your IP address or if you submit a report)

  • Any information you submit in a form, comment, alert, or message

We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under the age of 16 without consent from a parent or guardian.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your data for the following purposes:

  • To share rural crime alerts and updates

  • To respond to your enquiries or feedback

  • To analyse website traffic and improve performance

  • To manage email newsletters (if you subscribe)

  • To display personalised ads via Google AdSense (see below)

We will only use your information when we have a lawful basis to do so, such as your consent, our legitimate interests, or to comply with a legal obligation.

4. Cookies and Tracking

We use cookies to improve user experience and to deliver relevant advertising. This includes cookies from Google AdSense, which uses tracking to show you ads tailored to your browsing habits and interests.

You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings or opt out of personalised ads by visiting:
🔗 Google Ads Settings

For more information, see our Cookie Policy.

5. Sharing Your Data

We will never sell your personal data.

We may share your information with trusted third-party service providers who help us operate our website or manage email services (e.g. Google, website hosting, newsletter tools). These providers are bound by data protection obligations.

We may also disclose data if required to do so by law or in response to a valid legal request.

6. How We Store and Protect Your Data

Your data is stored securely and only accessible to authorised personnel. We use appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your information from loss, misuse, unauthorised access, disclosure, or alteration.

We only retain your personal data for as long as necessary for the purpose it was collected, unless a longer retention period is required by law.

7. Your Rights

Under the UK GDPR, you have the right to:

  • Access the personal data we hold about you

  • Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data

  • Request deletion of your data (“right to be forgotten”)

  • Object to or restrict our use of your data

  • Withdraw your consent at any time (if we are relying on consent)

  • Lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO)

To exercise any of your rights, please contact info@countrysidewatch.co.uk

8. External Links

Our website may link to external websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these sites and recommend you read their privacy policies separately.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The latest version will always be published on this page with the updated effective date. Please check back regularly to stay informed.

10. Contact

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how your data is used, please contact:
📧 info@countrysidewatch.co.uk

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