The CLA (Country Land and Business Association) comments on a newly launched (today) Rural and Wildlife Crime Strategy 2025 – 2028 which focuses on intelligence-led policing with advanced data analytics and crime mapping used to identify crime hotspots and track patterns of offending across the country.
The Strategy can be accessed via this link. See the National Police Chief’s Council’s media release: https://news.npcc.police.uk/releases/crackdown-on-organised-crime-gangs-targeting-britains-farms-and-countryside
CLA President Gavin Lane said:
“Rural crime blights the countryside and is often linked to serious organised crime, so we welcome the launch of this new strategy and hope it leads to urgent action.
“The CLA works closely with the police to ensure fighting rural crime is a priority, and we support the suggestion that rural crime teams should be embedded in every force, as well as the focus on improved data collection and analysis.
“Farmers and communities – many already struggling with isolation – have had enough of criminals and violent organised gangs targeting them. Many Police and Crime Commissioners take fighting rural crime seriously, and with their roles being scrapped it’s vital our voice isn’t lost.
“As recent CLA analysis found, some police forces lack dedicated rural officers and basic kit. This new strategy is a step in the right direction, and must lead to direct action including more equipment for officers, improved training for call handlers ensure long-term funding of the National Rural Crime Unit.”
