Funding boost to tackle rural and wildlife crime

The Home Office has announced an £800,000 funding boost for the National Rural Crime Unit and the National Wildlife Crime Unit to continue their work tackling rural and wildlife crime.

The funds will enhance cross-force collaboration, bolster the use of technology and data, and improve the ability to target organised crime groups involved in these illegal activities.

Crime and policing minister Dame Diana Johnson stressed the importance of the funding in addressing long-standing challenges in rural areas. “When you report a crime, it should be properly investigated, with victims having faith that justice will be delivered, and criminals punished,” she said.

Dame Diana added that rural communities had been left feeling isolated, “whether it be farmers having equipment or livestock stolen, or villages targeted by car thieves and county lines [drugs] gangs”.

See also: NFU demands action on rising rural crime rates

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has welcomed the funding, with president Victoria Vyvyan noting that rural crime has long been a significant issue.

“Rural crime blights the countryside, so we welcome the news of more funding as well as the upcoming launch of the new national strategy,” she said.

Mrs Vyvyan also highlighted the growing frustrations of farmers and rural communities already struggling with isolation. “They deserve to feel safe and protected.”

Severe impacts

The new funding aims to support ongoing efforts to tackle crimes such as equipment theft, livestock theft, and hare coursing, which have severe impacts on both the countryside and the economy.

A report by NFU Mutual last year revealed that rural crime in the UK cost an estimated £52.8m in 2023, up from £50.6m the year before.

Superintendent Andrew Huddleston, head of the National Rural Crime Unit, described the funding as critical to ongoing operations.

“This funding will enable information sharing and joint operations to continue across the UK, facilitated by the National Rural Crime Co-Ordinator,” he said.

“Since the inception of the team in 2023, over £22 million in stolen equipment has been recovered.”

Similarly, Ch Insp Kevin Lacks-Kelly, head of the UK Wildlife Crime Unit, said the funding would significantly enhance the unit’s ability to combat wildlife crime.

“By enhancing our intelligence capabilities and strengthening enforcement, we will be better equipped to protect endangered species and disrupt the criminals who exploit them,” Mr Lacks-Kelly said.