Rural Crime Action Week 2024

Motion Text

That this House recognises Rural Crime Action Week which runs between 21 and 25 October 2024 to highlight the impact of rural crime on communities; is concerned by the NFU's 2024 Rural Crime Report which states that the cost of rural crime increased by 4.3% across the UK in 2023; further notes that the highest regional cost of crime in 2023 was in the Midlands at £11.7 billion; acknowledges that Shropshire has been rated the third worst affected county for rural crime for two consecutive years; recognises that the impacts of rural crime are felt by business and across communities from large-scale fly-tipping to theft of farm machinery, tools and livestock; and calls on the Government to recognise the serious and organised nature of rural crime and urgently to take steps to tackle crime and disorder in the countryside.