Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Rural Crime

Thursday 18 December 2025 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 4 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government implementing the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023
  • Government funding national rural and wildlife crime units with over 800,000
  • Government investing an additional 500 million in criminal courts to support victims

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Claire Young Lib Dem Thornbury and Yate
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The MP noted the unique challenges faced by rural communities in combating targeted criminal activities such as farm theft, fly-tipping, and other antisocial behaviours. She referenced the need for effective prosecution to deter these crimes.

Question

What work is the Attorney General undertaking through their superintendence of the Crown Prosecution Service and in collaboration with the Home Office to reduce delays in prosecutions for rural crime and to ensure that prosecutors are equipped to support effective enforcement in rural areas?

Answer from The Solicitor General

The Government are implementing the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023, funding national rural and wildlife crime units with over £800,000, and investing an additional £500 million in criminal courts to support victims, provide more sitting days, and ensure swift justice for cases involving violence against women and girls.

Answered
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Q1 Claire Young Lib Dem Thornbury and Yate
Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

The MP noted the unique challenges faced by rural communities in combating targeted criminal activities such as farm theft, fly-tipping, and other antisocial behaviours. She referenced the need for effective prosecution to deter these crimes.

Question

What work is the Attorney General undertaking through their superintendence of the Crown Prosecution Service and in collaboration with the Home Office to reduce delays in prosecutions for rural crime and to ensure that prosecutors are equipped to support effective enforcement in rural areas?

Answer from The Solicitor General

The Government are implementing the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023, funding national rural and wildlife crime units with over £800,000, and investing an additional £500 million in criminal courts to support victims, provide more sitting days, and ensure swift justice for cases involving violence against women and girls.

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Q2 Peter Prinsley Lab Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket
Justice & Courts Women & Equalities
Context

The MP mentioned that rural domestic violence cases often go unreported due to lengthy trial delays, citing concerns from the chief constable of Suffolk.

Question

Would my right hon. Friend agree that we have an absolute duty to address this urgently?

Answer from The Solicitor General

We are investing £500 million extra funding in criminal courts to support victims, provide 5,000 more sitting days, and implement a package of support and reform to expedite the processing of cases involving violence against women and girls.

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Q2 Peter Prinsley Lab Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket
Justice & Courts Women & Equalities
Context

The MP mentioned that rural domestic violence cases often go unreported due to lengthy trial delays, citing concerns from the chief constable of Suffolk.

Question

Would my right hon. Friend agree that we have an absolute duty to address this urgently?

Answer from The Solicitor General

We are investing £500 million extra funding in criminal courts to support victims, provide 5,000 more sitting days, and implement a package of support and reform to expedite the processing of cases involving violence against women and girls.

Answered
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