I was delighted to secure a Westminster Hall Debate on Organised Crime in Rural Areas and press the Government to introduce more stringent measures to combat organised rural crime and support those affected by it.
I called for:
- The Government to create a dedicated Rural Crime Unit.
- The UK Border Agency to undertake a review into its role in tackling rural crime, given that much of the proceeds of rural crime end up within mainland Europe.
- Develop a specific training programme on rural crime for 111 and 999 operators to ensure rural communities, especially farmers, are always taken seriously.
This was an important step in highlighting the issue of organised rural crime to Government.
