Rural areas face unique challenges, and by working together, the farming industry can drive real change in protecting farmers and the countryside from rural crime.
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That was the message from NFU vice president Rachel Hallos who added ‘collaboration' was critical in clamping down on rural crime, agricultural thefts and hare coursing.
Rural crime
Ms Hallos joined a policing roundtable with the Policing Minister Diana Johnson last week, along with other industry stakeholders including the National Wildlife Crime Unit, National Rural Crime Taskforce, NFU Mutual, Ceasar, National Rural Crime Unit and the deputy mayor of North Yorkshire.
Hare coursing
Representatives shared the success of ‘partnership working' and commented on the significance of Operation Galileo, which brings together police forces across the country in a bid to tackle hare coursing. Representatives in the roundtable praised its success in helping to reduce hare coursing nationally, but acknowledged there was still more work to be done.
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The link between rural crime and serious organised crime was also discussed.
NFU vice president Rachel Hallos said: "I spoke directly with the Minister about the urgent need for stronger legislative measures to better protect our rural communities, such as implementing secondary legislation under the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023 to tackle GPS thefts and passing the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill to safeguard livestock from distressing and violent attacks.
National rural crime strategy
"I also stressed the need for a national rural crime strategy, as outlined by the Government in their manifesto last Spring, and how the National Rural Crime Network's 10-point plan can serve as an essential blueprint for action.
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"Equally important is the need for stronger deterrents for crimes like hare coursing, and we are engaging with the Sentencing Council's consultation to ensure the appropriate sentencing is put in place."
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