00:00Thank you Mr Speaker. NFU Mutual's Rural Crime Report latest figures estimate that the cost
00:07of rural crime increased by 4.3% year on year in 2023 to £52.8 million with criminal gangs
00:14targeting farms up and down Wales including unfortunately in my own constituency. The
00:19prosecution rates for livestock theft in particular are very low, often below 1% despite the huge
00:25financial and emotional toll this type of crime takes on farmers. Can the Solicitor General
00:32please outline what actions the Government is taking to tackle these low prosecution rates?
00:38Mr Speaker, the Honourable Member raises a very important issue. We know that rural and farming
00:44communities face acute and bespoke threats from criminals and that includes in relation to highly
00:49organised crime groups as well that are exploiting our rural communities. He refers to livestock
00:55also fly tipping machinery and fuel theft as well. We're committed to implementing the Equipment
01:01Theft Prevention Act 2023 and we're also committed to the further funding of the National Rural and
01:09Wildlife Crime Units. We've announced additional funding in relation to that because we recognise
01:14just how critical it is to crack down on rural crime. I should mention policing as well because
01:19our neighbourhood policing guarantee covers the entirety of this country, not just urban areas
01:24but rural areas but rural areas too.
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