Cornish MP to host rural crime debate in parliament
Figures from NFU Mutual reveal rural crime soared in the south west by 40 per cent
A debate is being held in parliament today about rural crime, hosted by the MP for North Cornwall.
Data by NFU Mutual reveal rural crime cost the South West an estimated 5 million pounds in 2022 and soared to 7 million pounds in 2023. Parliament will debate rural crime ‘spiralling out of control’ as South West sees near double increase in costs.
Those figures include the costs associated with agricultural vehicle theft, quad and ATV theft, theft of livestock and dog attacks on livestock.
According to figures, rural crime costs in the South West have increased by more than 40%, higher than anywhere else in the country and only 0.05% of police officers in Devon and Cornwall are assigned to rural crime unit.
Liberal Democrats are calling for every police force to have a dedicated rural crime unit and mandatory training on how to tackle rural crime for frontline staff
Nationally there has been a 4.3% rise in the cost of rural crime, rising from £50.6m in 2022 to £52.8m in 2023. The South West has seen the highest rise in costs across the country.
Commenting ahead of the debate, Liberal Democrat MP for North Cornwall and Shadow Attorney General Ben Maguire said:
"Rural crime is spiralling out of control across Cornwall and the South West with dangerous criminals and organised gangs targeting our communities, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake.
"This debate is the perfect opportunity to highlight the significant challenges facing rural police forces; from the theft of tractors, quad bikes and livestock, to flocks of sheep falling victim to out-of-control dogs, this cannot be allowed to continue. County lines drug gangs also pose a serious threat to our young people as they infiltrate local schools and communities.
"It is crucial that the Government treats rural crime with the seriousness it deserves. That means ensuring police forces have the resources they need to keep our communities safe and bring criminals to justice."
Earlier this year, the Lib Dem MP also tabled a Rural Crime (Strategy) Bill in the House of Commons. The 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 is due to have its Second Reading on 4th July 2025.