The aim of this book is to demonstrate the importanceof crime and safety in areas on the rural-urban continuum in general, and froma social sustainability perspective in particular. This aim is achieved by first outlining20 reasons as to why crime and safety matter, which also serves to delineate thefield of research and illustrate its complexity, with many interdisciplinary ramifications.Then, by reviewing the international literature, the book reports four decadesof English-language studies within the field and, finally, presents a research agendawhich takes into consideration emergent areas of research, implications for practice,and the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Expanding our knowledgeon rural crime and safety is not only an important step for the future of criminology,but a prerequisite for ever obtaining a truly sustainable society.