Funding boost for specialist rural and wildlife crime units

The Home Office says the funding boost will help protect rural communities “from the scourge of crimes such as equipment theft, livestock theft and hare coursing which can devastate countryside communities, farming and wildlife”.

Funding to the National Rural Crime Unit will enable the unit to continue to increase collaboration across police forces, harnessing the latest technology and data to target the serious organised crime groups involved in crimes such as equipment theft from farms.

The National Wildlife Crime Unit will strengthen its ability to disrupt criminal networks exploiting endangered species both in the UK and internationally. Enhanced data analysis and financial investigation will help the unit track illegal wildlife profits and ensure offenders face justice.

The funding comes as the government works with the National Police Chiefs’ Council to deliver the new Rural and Wildlife Crime Strategy, to ensure the entire weight of government is put behind tackling rural crime.

Minister for Crime and Policing Dame Diana Johnson said: “When you report a crime, it should be properly investigated, with victims having faith that justice will be delivered and criminals punished.

“But too often victims of crime in rural communities have been left feeling undervalued and isolated, whether it be famers having equipment or livestock stolen, or villages targeted by car thieves and county lines gangs.

“This new funding, alongside the forthcoming Rural and Wildlife Crime Strategy and our Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, will help deliver the change rural communities deserve, ensuring no matter where you live your streets are safe and police responsive to your local needs as we continue to deliver on our Plan for Change.”

Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed said: “For too long, rural crime has gone unpunished. Organised crime, fly-tipping and farm theft blight our countryside.

“This government will crack down on these criminals and bring them to justice with specialist rural policing units to protect farmers and our rural communities.”

The new funding follows the Government’s Crime and Policing Bill, which gives police and local authorities new powers to tackle crime, including crimes that do real damage to rural communities.

This includes new statutory guidance for local authorities to support them to make full and proper use of their fly-tipping enforcement powers.

New warrantless powers of entry for police to enter premises identified by electronic mapping will give officers a valuable tool to tackle equipment and machinery stolen from farms and agricultural businesses.

The forthcoming Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023 will make it harder for criminals to sell stolen agricultural equipment. Secondary legislation is due to be introduced later this year.

Superintendent Andrew Huddleston, head of National Rural Crime Unit said: “This funding is critical and will enable information sharing and joint operations to continue across the UK facilitated by the National Rural Crime Coordinator.

“The contribution to the replacement of the operational team vehicles is equally important as it will allow the continued support of forces on the ground and recovery of stolen equipment which since the inception of the team in 2023 stands at over £22 million.

Chief Inspector Kevin Lacks-Kelly, head of UK Wildlife Crime, added: “This funding is a significant step forward in the fight against wildlife crime. By enhancing our intelligence capabilities and strengthening enforcement, we will be better equipped to protect endangered species and disrupt the criminals who exploit them.

“The UK is seen as a centre of excellence in tackling this global issue, working closely with international partners to ensure a safer future for our planet’s wildlife.”

The funding for the National Wildlife Crime Unit will reinforce the UK’s leadership in global wildlife crime prevention, through the unit’s work with Interpol and global enforcement agencies to combat the illegal wildlife trade on a worldwide scale.

Wildlife crime not only threatens biodiversity but also fuels organised crime and corruption.

Country Land and Business Association (CLA) president Victoria Vyvyan said: “Rural crime blights the countryside, so we welcome the news of more funding as well as the upcoming launch of the new national strategy.

“Farmers and communities – many already struggling with isolation – have had enough of criminals and violent organised gangs targeting them. They deserve to feel safe and protected.

“As recent CLA analysis found, some police forces lack dedicated rural officers and basic kit. This new funding is a step in the right direction in the fight against rural crime, and must be used to equip more officers as well as improve training for call handlers.”