Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
Rural crime in West Yorkshire includes the theft of farm machinery, fuel and livestock, incidents of livestock worrying, and wildlife and environmental offences. The national rural crime and wildlife crime units are welcoming additional funding but more actions are requested.
The most common and impactful rural crimes in West Yorkshire include the theft of farm machinery, fuel and livestock, incidents of livestock worrying, and wildlife and environmental offences. Increased funding for specialist units is welcome. What other actions can the Government take to help tackle such crime?
I am delighted to say that, since the last Home Office questions, the National Police Chiefs’ Council launched its rural and wildlife crime strategy, which we absolutely support. The Government are going further: new provisions in the Crime and Policing Bill will introduce powers for the police to enter and search premises for items that have been electronically tracked and are reasonably believed to have been stolen, and we will implement the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023, which will strengthen measures to tackle the theft and resale of high-value equipment, particularly that used in agricultural settings.
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Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
There were nearly 1,300 reports of waste crime in Norfolk over a five-year period with only two convictions. In South West Norfolk, 250 bales of DIY waste were dumped on a farm at an estimated removal cost of £250,000.
Waste crime—an increasing concern in rural areas—often has links to serious and organised crime. There were nearly 1,300 reports of waste crime in Norfolk over a five-year period with only two convictions. In South West Norfolk, 250 bales of DIY waste were dumped on a farm at an estimated removal cost of £250,000. Will the Minister tell the House what more the Department can do to tackle waste crime in rural areas?
My hon. Friend speaks about a very serious crime, and we must go further. Last year, the Government announced a huge crackdown on cowboy waste operators in order to tackle fly-tipping. To support local authorities, our Crime and Policing Bill will introduce a power to issue statutory guidance on fly-tipping enforcement, and there will be a new five-year prison term for waste cowboys.
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Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
Rural communities like those with Roman town Venta Icenorum, Wymondham Abbey and the wooden henge in Arminghall are at risk of heritage crime. Scrap metal dealers need to be more aware of the damage this does.
Heritage crime is a huge issue in rural communities like mine. My constituency boast some of the jewels in England’s crown—Roman town Venta Icenorum, Wymondham Abbey and the wooden henge in Arminghall—which puts us more at risk of heritage crime. Will the Minister meet me to discuss how we can train scrap metal dealers to be more aware of the damage that it does, and how might we record the statistics more appropriately so that we can give police the resources they need?
My hon. Friend is lucky to have such wonderful places in his constituency. Of course I will meet him—this is a very important matter. We are supporting the work of Historic England on a number of issues to tackle heritage crime, but I am sure that we can go further, and I look forward to talking to him about it.
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