The NFU is urging elected Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) to prioritise rural crime as a key issue following the elections this week.

Rural crime has far-reaching consequences, impacting farmers both financially and emotionally. Many farm businesses are also homes for farmers and their families, which can make victims of rural crime feel unsafe and vulnerable.

Machinery theft, fly-tipping, dog attacks on livestock and hare coursing continue to plague farming communities, costing the UK £49.5 million in 2022 alone. This financial impact, however, only just scratches the surface, given the broader impacts of these crimes, which can often go towards funding organised crime and are underestimated and underreported.

The NFU is calling on members to join its campaign by signing an open letter to every newly elected PCC. The letter outlines key recommendations to address rural crime, including:

1. Ensuring priorities for addressing rural crime are detailed in the PCC’s Police & Crime Plan.
2. Recruiting a dedicated rural crime specialist.
3. Engaging regularly with the farming community and their representatives.
4. Delivering effective response and investigation of crimes impacting farm businesses.
5. Working with farm businesses on effective crime prevention strategies.
6. Developing a strategy to counter the impact of Organised Crime Groups in operating in rural areas.
7. Providing greater rural crime training for officers and control centres.

NFU Vice President Rachel Hallos said: “In recent years, rural communities across Britain have had to deal with highly organised criminal gangs targeting the countryside to dump huge amounts of waste and steal livestock, valuable machinery or expensive GPS equipment. Not only does this make farmers and their families feel unsafe in their home and workplace, it also affects them financially and heavily impacts their ability to do their job of providing food for the nation.

“The upcoming PCC elections provide a timely opportunity to shine a light on these issues. The public clearly value the pressing need for action against rural crime, with nearly three-quarters of the public calling for it to be treated more seriously by the police. We hope our open letter to the newly elected commissioners will further emphasise the importance this issue holds in many rural communities across the country.

“To tackle rural crime effectively, we are asking PCCs to ensure priorities for addressing rural crime are detailed in their Police & Crime Plan and for the recruitment of a dedicated rural crime specialist. I urge all candidates to meet with their local farmers to truly understand the impact of crimes can have first-hand and commit to tangible plans to better help combat rural crime.”