The Welsh Government and the police have agreed an updated joint rural crime strategy. Building on the success of Wales’ previous rural crime strategy, this second edition was launched on 10 July and will run for three years.
The new strategy is led by the Wales Wildlife and Rural Crime Co-ordinator, Rob Taylor QPM. It was presented at the Welsh Government offices in Cardiff, to over 100 delegates by Nigel Harrison, Deputy Chief Constable of North Wales Police and the NPCC Lead for Wildlife and Rural Crime and the Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies.
The strategy outlines six priority areas: Bird Crime, Farm Crime, Habitats, Heritage Crime, Mammals and European Protected Species, and Networking Rural Support Services. The last is a new addition that seeks to address mental health issues in rural communities.
At the event, a new scheme was championed targeting dog attacks on livestock. Owners found guilty of offences of attacks on livestock by their dogs will have to take an awareness course on responsible dog ownership. The pilot, run in Wales, has reportedly been a success and the scheme is planned to be rolled out UK-wide in September.
Speaking at the conference, Huw Irranca-Davies said:
“Both wildlife and rural crime are issues of national and international significance. It is not only the intrinsic importance of the species, habitats and people affected by these crimes, but it is also the gravity of the links with other harmful behaviours, including serious organised crime.
“We are confident that collaboration is the right approach for Wales – between the Welsh Government and the police and, critically, with our other partners in the statutory and NGO sectors, without who [sic] much of this work simply could not be delivered.”
A UK-wide survey carried out by the Countryside Alliance in 2024 showed that members of the public were losing faith in the policing of rural areas. 96% of respondents saw crime as a significant issue in their area, and 45% believed that the police do not take rural crime seriously.
Furthermore, 73% were of the view that crime has increased in the last 12 months, reflecting a widespread feeling that communities are less safe. A significant proportion (48%) of respondents felt intimidated by criminals or criminality in the past year.
The survey identified key crimes as priorities for the police to crack down on, with examples ranging from agricultural machinery theft to fly-tipping and hare poaching.
39% of respondents had suffered from incidents of rural crime in the past 12 months. The priority crimes represented a great deal of these, with 44% of reported crimes concerning fly-tipping, 32% were of agricultural machinery theft, and 31% involving illegal hare or deer poaching.
Sadly, a major issue in rural crime is underreporting. The Survey showed that 32% of crimes were never reported to the police. The reasons for not reporting crimes varied and were telling, with many citing a perceived lack of police action.
Speaking after the conference, Rachel Evans said:
“I welcome the second Rural Crime Strategy for Wales and I hope that this gives those living in rural areas some confidence in our police forces and their intention to combat wildlife and rural crime. The proof of the pudding will of course be in the eating, and I welcome the engagement and partnership working between the Alliance and the police forces in the next three years to protect our communities.
“I am particularly keen to see how the new ‘Networking Rural Support Services’ will work. Farmers who have been victims of theft feel aggrieved when essential farm machinery is stolen as this has a serious effect on the day to day running of the farm. Thefts of quad bikes, as an example, undoubtedly add to the economic pressure the farming community is facing. This new service is essential and I am very pleased indeed to see this in the six areas of priority.”
The Countryside Alliance is also pleased to see that heritage crime has become a priority, after running a major campaign in 2024/2025 on crimes against churches.
Rachel Evans said:
“Heritage crime affects our communities and it is heinous that such crimes take place in places normally seen as ‘safe spaces’ in some very remote parts of Wales, which undoubtedly makes them a target. I am delighted that this has now become a policing priority.”
You can access a copy of the Wales Wildlife and rural Crime Strategy 2025-2028 here.