NFU demands action on rising rural crime rates
© Tim Scrivener The NFU has demanded urgent action to protect rural communities who are under siege from rising crime – including equipment theft, livestock worrying and fly-tipping.
Despite the UK government announcing its rural crime strategy in April last year, the NFU says it must do more to tackle rural crime, including increased funding for rural policing and dedicated rural crime teams and greater use of technology to prevent theft.
See also: Three men arrested for major fly-tipping incident
Recent Defra figures highlighted more than a million incidents of fly-tipping in the past year.
NFU Mutual statistics showed the cost of livestock worrying stood at £1.8m in 2024.
The total UK cost of rural crime exceeded an estimated £50m in 2023, according to NFU Mutual.
NFU vice-president Rachel Hallos said now is the time to step up.
“We need more investment in rural policing, tougher penalties, and consistent sentencing for those who target our communities, as outlined in the government’s own rural crime strategy,” she said.
“PCCs [Police and crime commissioners] and government must step up and deliver the support our sector desperately needs.”
How police forces are tackling rural crime
The use of drones to tackle a range of incidents in Lancashire has been praised by police and crime commissioner Clive Grunshaw.
Last year, 1,394 drones were deployed in incidents across the county and almost 400 have been in use during the first eight weeks of this year.
They are said to be especially useful in rural areas and in securing visuals of large areas.
“Lancashire is leading the way on the use of drones and similar technology and I am keen to ensure this continues, encouraging the government to look at ways to invest in expanding their use,” said Mr Grunshaw.
In Hampshire, proactive policing operations, carried out by mixed policing teams and specialists, have led to a decline in rural crime, including poaching and hare coursing, particularly in north and east areas.
Inspector Cath MacDonald noted steady progress, but cautioned that criminals remain active across borders.