Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps she has taken to help tackle rural (a) rural crime and (b) thefts in the last two years.

Rural crime can have devastating consequences for countryside communities and the agricultural sector.

Under our Safer Streets Mission reforms, rural communities will be safeguarded, with tougher measures to clamp down on equipment theft, anti-social behaviour, strengthened neighbourhood policing and stronger measures to prevent farm theft and fly-tipping.

This financial year the Home Office will be providing the first Government funding since 2023 for the National Rural Crime Unit (£365,000) as well as continuing funding for the National Wildlife Crime Unit (£450,000). This funding will enable them to tackle the crimes that mostly affect rural communities.

Additionally, we are committed to the implementation of the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act and fully support its intentions to tackle the theft and re-sale of All-Terrain Vehicles.

The Government’s response to the Call for Evidence on the scope of the legislation will be published soon. We hope to introduce the necessary legislation to Parliament this year.

The Crime and Policing Bill will introduce a new power for the police to enter and search premises to which items have been electronically tracked by GPS or other means, where the items are reasonably believed to have been stolen and are on those premises, and where it has not been reasonably practicable to obtain a warrant from a court.

This will provide a valuable tool for police in tackling stolen equipment and machinery.