NFU to send letter to elected PPCs as rural crime figures are concerning
18th April 2024
The NFU is campaigning for urgent action on rural crime following recent data showing that the issue costs the UK almost £50 million per year.
With police and crime commissioner (PCC) elections taking place in England and Wales, the association encourages people to sign its open letter.
PCCs are elected to make sure that the local police in their area are meeting the needs of the community. Yet too often, rural communities fail to feel adequately protected against criminals and organised crime gangs.
Theft of large and small machinery, fly-tipping, dog attacks on livestock and hare coursing continue to blight farming communities.
As a result, rural crime costs the UK £49.5 million in 2022. However, the NFU said that the full scale cost and social impact of crime in rural areas are underestimated, under-reported and not fully understood.
The upcoming PCC elections offer a timely opportunity to shine a light on these issues and reflect on ways in which police forces combat rural crime.
READ MORE: Staffordshire farmers call for action following 18 rural crimes reported in six months
READ MORE: Two Darlington men linked to £1m farm machinery theft arrested
Sign the open letter
Survey work carried out for the NFU by More in Common in October 2023 showed that 71% of the public believe rural crime should be treated more seriously by the police.
This is why the NFU decided to send an open letter to every single elected PPC, calling on them to:
- Ensure priorities for addressing rural crime are detailed in their police and crime plan.
- Recruit a dedicated rural crime specialist.
- Engage regularly with the farming community.
- Deliver an effective response and investigation of crimes impacting farm businesses.
- Work with farm businesses on effective crime prevention strategies.
- Develop a strategy to counter the impact of organised crime groups operating in rural areas.
- Provide greater rural crime training for officers and control centres.
The NFU leaders said: “If you agree, add your name to the letter to show that we need urgent action on rural crime.
“The elections will be taking place on 2nd May. You have until 12th May to sign this letter and back our call for better rural policing.
“The NFU is also inviting all candidates in the upcoming PCC elections to meet local farmers to hear first-hand the impact of criminal activity on farming businesses and discuss steps to help combat this threat.”
Sign the open letter here. Download the PCC election flyer.
Read more rural crime news.
