Axminster MP hopes to introduce strategy to tackle rural crime

Axminster MP Richard Foord has this week presented a bill in parliament that would require the government to produce and implement a strategy on tackling rural crime.

Rural crime – largely recognised as crimes targeting farmers and rural homeowners, including theft – has been on the rise in recent years.

According to NFU Mutual's 2022 Rural Crime Report, rural crime claims were up 40% in the first quarter of 2022, compared to the previous year.

The total cost of agricultural vehicle theft from 2021 was estimated at a whopping £9.1 million.

Yet, despite pleas from rural voices including the National Farmers Union, Liberal Democrat MP Mr Foord says no co-ordinated strategy has ever been produced by the Conservative government on addressing rural crime.

If passed, his Rural Crime (Strategy) Bill would require the Home Secretary to set up an independent task force to produce a strategy on tackling rural crime and implement that strategy.

It comes just weeks after the Conservative government refused to say how often they meet with rural stakeholders to discuss crime in response to parliamentary questions from Mr Foord.

Addressing the situation, Mr Foord said: "When it comes to tackling crime, rural communities have been forgotten by the Conservatives for too long. 

"The fact the government refuses to say when they last met with rural stakeholders about tackling crime speaks volumes about how much they're taking our area for granted.

"Ministers cannot continue to turn a blind eye to this growing problem, every day they fail to act is another day of pain and misery for those who fall victim to these criminals.

"The time for warm words is over. We now need to see real action to bring people together and ensure everyone living in rural areas is protected."