Countryside Alliance Ireland (CAI) has welcomed the Government’s announcement of an additional £200 million in funding for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). The investment is expected to support the recruitment of approximately 700 new officers, aimed at strengthening the capacity and effectiveness of policing across the region.

While acknowledging that recruitment and training of new officers will take time, CAI emphasises that these additional officers, though still falling short of the commitments made in the New Decade, New Approach agreement of 7,500 is a vital step toward improving public safety. CAI hopes that a proportion of the resources will be specifically directed toward addressing the serious and growing problem of rural crime.

Gary McCartney, Director of Countryside Alliance Ireland, said:

“This investment in policing is a vital step in protecting our rural communities, who often feel left behind when it comes to law enforcement coverage. We hope that the additional officers will be deployed in areas where they can make a real difference, deterring criminals, building relationships with local residents, and supporting isolated communities.”

Rural crime remains a significant and persistent issue in many parts of Northern Ireland and the wider UK. Unlike urban crime, it often goes underreported and lacks the same visibility in public discourse, yet its effects are no less serious. Rural crimes are frequently premeditated and carried out by organised criminal groups who target farms and isolated properties with minimal fear of detection.

Common types of rural crime include:

• Livestock theft, which causes financial hardship and emotional distress for farming families.
• Machinery and equipment theft, where expensive vehicles and tools are stolen to order.
• Illegal dumping and fly-tipping, which blight the countryside and leave landowners responsible for cleanup costs.
• Fuel theft, particularly from farms, haulage businesses, and rural construction sites.
• Vandalism and trespassing, including damage to fencing, buildings, and crops.

Countryside Alliance Ireland believes that targeted rural policing strategies, increased use of modern surveillance technologies, and enhanced cooperation between police and rural stakeholders are essential to addressing these challenges. CAI also calls for improved 999 emergency response times in remote areas and a greater focus on intelligence-sharing between agencies.

“Our rural communities deserve to feel safe and supported,” Gary McCartney added. “This funding must lead to real and visible changes more patrols in rural areas, greater deterrence, and better protection for the people who live and work in the countryside.”

CAI will continue to work closely with PSNI, the Department of Justice, and local communities to ensure that the needs and concerns of rural residents are not only heard but also acted upon.