Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Rural Crime: Prosecution Rates

Thursday 6 February 2025 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Fly-tipping is the most commonly reported rural crime, costing over 4 million to clean up in 2022-23.
  • The Ryan Saltern case in North Cornwall highlights serious issues with the legal system for hit-and-run incidents.
  • The Solicitor General offered to arrange a meeting with the local chief Crown prosecutor regarding fly-tipping concerns.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Dave Robertson Lab Lichfield
Crime & Law Enforcement Environment
Context

Fly-tipping is the most commonly reported rural crime, with over 13,000 significant multi-load incidents costing more than £4 million to clear up in 2022-23. Only 22 custodial sentences were handed out.

Question

As I am sure the Solicitor General knows, fly-tipping is the most commonly reported rural crime. In 2022-23, there were well over 13,000 significant multi-load incidents; those incidents cost more than £4 million to clear up, yet just 22 custodial sentences were handed out in that time. What assurances can she give me and my constituents that the most egregious examples of fly-tipping, like those we saw in Lichfield two weeks ago, will result in jail time for the perpetrators?

Answer from The Solicitor General

Fly-tipping blights communities, and I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising the issue. I know that he has also raised it with the Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs, but I am happy to arrange a meeting with his local chief Crown prosecutor to discuss the matter further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific request for assurances on custodial sentences was not directly addressed. Instead, an offer of arranging a meeting was given.

How: Will Arrange A Meeting

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Q2 Ben Maguire Lib Dem North Cornwall
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
Context

The tragic case of Ryan Saltern, where the driver received a four-month suspended sentence for failing to stop and render aid after leaving the victim for dead.

Question

The tragic hit-and-run case of Ryan Saltern in my rural North Cornwall constituency highlights a concerning problem in our legal system. The driver failed to stop, render aid at the scene, or even call 999, leaving Ryan for dead. The case was heard in a magistrates court where the driver received a four-month suspended sentence. Will the Solicitor General please look into the issue in conjunction with the CPS and the Department for Transport, and meet me to discuss her findings?

Answer from The Solicitor General

This is a profoundly tragic case, and I am grateful to the hon. Member for raising it. My heartfelt condolences go to Ryan’s family. I know that they and others have been campaigning for changes to the law in this area, and supporting families who have been through similarly tragic circumstances. I will discuss the case that the hon. Member raises with my colleagues in the Ministry of Justice and ensure that he receives a full response.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific request for an investigation was not directly addressed, but a promise to discuss the case and provide a response is given.

How: Will Discuss With Colleagues, Full Response

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