David Chadwick is urging the UK Government to take a tougher stance on rural crime.
The Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe MP asked the Solicitor General, Lucy Rigby, in the Commons what she is doing to help ensure the effective prosecution of rural crime.
Video from parliamentlive.tv
The Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe MP asked the Solicitor General, Lucy Rigby, in the Commons what she is doing to help ensure the effective prosecution of rural crime.
Video from parliamentlive.tv
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Thank you Mr Speaker. NFU Mutual's Rural Crime Report latest figures estimate that the cost
00:07of rural crime increased by 4.3% year on year in 2023 to £52.8 million with criminal gangs
00:14targeting farms up and down Wales including unfortunately in my own constituency. The
00:19prosecution rates for livestock theft in particular are very low, often below 1% despite the huge
00:25financial and emotional toll this type of crime takes on farmers. Can the Solicitor General
00:32please outline what actions the Government is taking to tackle these low prosecution rates?
00:38Mr Speaker, the Honourable Member raises a very important issue. We know that rural and farming
00:44communities face acute and bespoke threats from criminals and that includes in relation to highly
00:49organised crime groups as well that are exploiting our rural communities. He refers to livestock
00:55also fly tipping machinery and fuel theft as well. We're committed to implementing the Equipment
01:01Theft Prevention Act 2023 and we're also committed to the further funding of the National Rural and
01:09Wildlife Crime Units. We've announced additional funding in relation to that because we recognise
01:14just how critical it is to crack down on rural crime. I should mention policing as well because
01:19our neighbourhood policing guarantee covers the entirety of this country, not just urban areas
01:24but rural areas but rural areas too.