£800k boost offers support to farmers battling rural crime

A new £800,000 funding package has been confirmed to help tackle rural crime, offering some support to farmers who continue to face theft, organised gangs and ongoing disruption.

The government said the money will go towards specialist policing teams, including the National Wildlife Crime Unit and the National Rural Crime Unit, continuing funding first introduced last year. Policing minister Sarah Jones announced the investment at the National Rural Crime Network Conference in York on 24 March.

She described rural crime as something that can severely damage communities while often remaining hidden, adding that the funding would help police track down offenders and improve protection in countryside areas.

The NFU has welcomed the announcement but stressed that many farmers are still dealing with persistent and serious criminal activity. Theft of quad bikes, GPS equipment and livestock continues to disrupt daily farm work and place extra financial strain on businesses.

NFU vice-president Robyn Munt said the impact goes beyond money, affecting farmers’ wellbeing and mental health, while also making it more difficult to manage farms effectively.

The conference brought together representatives from policing, government and support organisations, reflecting growing awareness of rural crime as a significant national concern. North Yorkshire Police Chief Constable Tim Forber was among the speakers, marking the first time someone in his role has addressed the event.

Munt said the establishment of the National Rural Crime Unit has already had a positive effect, particularly through improved intelligence sharing and closer cooperation between agencies.

NFU Mutual, which has invested nearly £2 million over the past five years to address rural crime, also supported the continued funding. Chief executive Nick Turner said the government’s backing would strengthen efforts to combat criminal activity, noting that rural crime harms mental health as well as finances.

Despite the funding, questions remain about whether enough preventative action is being taken. The government has introduced new rules under the Equipment Theft Act requiring forensic marking and registration of new ATVs and GPS units. However, it has not made immobilisers compulsory for quad bikes or extended similar measures to larger machinery-something the NFU believes should be reconsidered.

Munt said stronger security requirements, such as fitting immobilisers and improving GPS protection, could play an important role in tackling organised crime.

While the funding is seen as a step in the right direction, industry leaders warn that rural crime is becoming more sophisticated, with organised gangs continuing to target farms across the UK. Munt added that these groups are still “plaguing the countryside”, focusing on valuable equipment, machinery and livestock, and said coordinated action across law enforcement, government, farmers and insurers will be key to stopping them.