Could you count on a swift police response if you rang in a crime in the dead of night?

For those in the country, limited access to police, courts, and justice are some of the key factors in a punitive push against criminals, according to a new study.

Researchers agree that this may not feel like breaking news for those in the bush, but rather a confirmation of what they already know, in towns where crime can feel closer than ever.

Lead author, criminology lecturer at Griffith University and PhD student Caitlin Davey, said growing up in rural NSW, and working as a parole and corrections officer, gave her a first-hand look at the failings of the justice system for rural communities across the country.

"Living in rural spaces, there are real challenges that we face with justice. I grew

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