The NFU manifesto calls for a consistent and coordinated response to rural crime across government and police forces. We’re pleased to see Labour’s commitment to a rural crime strategy.
Labour has said it would boost police patrols and introduce 13,000 more community support officers, freeing up resources for rural policing.
The plan promises changes in areas that have seen significant NFU campaigning, among them:
- Pledges to ensure cross-government coordination between the Home Office, DEFRA and DLUHC.
- Work with the National Crime Agency to take down rural organised crime gangs.
- Tending the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act to cover GPS theft from farm vehicles.
- Expediting the introduction of the Livestock Worrying Bill.
The strategy was launched by Sir Keir Starmer on an NFU member’s farm.
The announcement directly referenced work by the NFU and NFU Mutual to highlight the scale of problems, the influence of organised gangs and international trends that have accelerated demand for stolen machinery.
‘Make rural crime a priority’
Responding to the announcement, NFU Vice President Rachel Hallos said: “Rural communities are experiencing rising crime, and we’ve been making the case to politicians for action for a long time.
“It’s good to hear from Labour about how it would work to tackle this issue, especially the focus on cross-government coordination and collaboration with the National Crime Agency.
“This is something we have long been calling for to better protect family farms from increasing criminal gang activity in the countryside.”
“Make addressing rural crime a priority and show farmers and the public that they are taking this issue seriously.”
NFU Vice President Rachel Hallos
Citing NFU Mutual’s latest figures which show that rural crime cost the UK £49.5million in 2022, Rachel said the rise in crime is “taking its toll on more than just farmers’ bottom lines”.
“It’s making the countryside feel unsafe and it’s reducing farmers’ ability to produce food for us all,” she added.
“That’s why we need to see a plan for tackling rural crime from all political parties. With the Police & Crime Commissioners being elected next week, I urge them to make addressing rural crime a priority and show farmers and the public that they are taking this issue seriously.”
Sign the NFU’s open letter
The NFU continued to put rural crime in the political spotlight with an open letter that will be sent to every newly-elected PCC (Police and Crime Commissioner) in England and Wales.
It highlights how offences like machinery theft, fly-tipping, dog attacks on livestock and hare coursing continue to blight farming communities – and must urgently move up the list of policing priorities.
In its Farming for Britain’s Future manifesto, the NFU is calling for a consistent and coordinated response to rural crime across government and police forces.
It says that should include fair funding for rural policing, a dedicated rural crime team in every police and the formation of a cross-departmental rural crime task force.
See our manifesto asks
Our manifesto
Our general election manifesto – Farming for Britain's Future – outlines our key asks of the next government to ensure farmers and growers can continue to deliver for the environment, economy and local communities while producing more of the great British food we all enjoy.
