New £156k scheme announced to tackle rural crime

Rural crime in the UK rose by 22% in 2022, according to the National Farmers’ Union

Off-road bikes and covert cameras will be used by police in an effort to crack down on rural crime.

The new £156,000 scheme will see offences like fly-tipping and farm burglaries tackled in the Oxfordshire countryside.

Thames Valley Police said it wanted to "send a clear message" that the county was a hostile environment for rural criminals.

Crime prevention advice will also be offered to communities, the force added.

Farmers will be given will be given DNA marking kits for agricultural machinery

Offences where farms, wildlife, the environment and heritage sites are targeted due to their remote locations are usually defined as rural crimes.

Figures from the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) showed rural crime rose by 22% in 2022, costing the UK an estimated £49.5m.

Funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley and the Home Office’s Safer Streets initiative, the project will see police working with farmers to improve security.

The Rural Crime Partnership will involve Thames Valley Police, West Oxfordshire, South Oxfordshire and Vale of the White Horse district councils as well as community safety partnerships.

Farmers will be able to sign up for security checks and will be given DNA marking kits for agricultural machinery.

Surveillance equipment will help district councils catch fly-tippers, while police will use off-road bikes to catch criminals in hard-to-reach areas.

A new Rural Crime Advisor will also advise people on how to become more difficult for criminals to target.