Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Policing: Rural Areas

Monday 9 February 2026 · 5 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister pledges funding over 800,000 for specialist units and guarantees named officers in rural communities.
  • Government plans legislative action against farm theft and new powers for fly-tipping, adding 13,000 officers.
  • Police funding has increased by 2 billion in the last two Budgets, reversing previous cuts of 20,000 officers.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Julian Smith Con Skipton and Ripon
Policing & Resources Community Security
Context

The MP is concerned about the impact of proposed police reorganisation on under-resourced rural areas like North Yorkshire.

Question

What steps she is taking to help ensure effective policing in rural areas? The reorganisation risks further distance between decision makers and these areas, affecting communities already struggling with under-resources. Will the Minister look carefully at how reorganisation impacts sparsest parts of the country?

Answer from Sarah Jones

We are providing funding over £800,000 this year to specialist national units. We strengthen neighbourhood policing through a guarantee ensuring named officers and visible patrols in every area, including rural communities. Our reforms end postcode lotteries by setting central targets, increasing transparency, and taking action against underperforming forces.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specifically address the concerns about further distancing decision makers from sparse areas.

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Q2 Julian Smith Con Skipton and Ripon
Policing & Resources Agriculture & Rural Affairs Environment
Context

Residents in rural parts of Harlow constituency are facing issues like farm theft and fly-tipping, impacting their livelihoods.

Question

What is the Minister doing to ensure that we strengthen neighbourhood policing in those rural areas affected by farm theft and fly-tipping?

Answer from Sarah Jones

We are introducing legislative action against farm theft, new powers and statutory guidance on fly-tipping. We will put 13,000 more officers on the streets by focusing on community presence and tackling everyday crime.

Answered
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Q3 Christopher Vince Lab Co-op Harlow
Policing & Resources Community Security
Context

The Association of Police and Crime Commissioners has confirmed a £500 million funding shortfall this year, raising concerns about resource allocation in mega-police forces.

Question

Rural communities fear that mega-police forces will suck resources into cities. How does the Minister expect police forces to protect rural areas when they face a £500 million funding shortfall?

Answer from Sarah Jones

Police funding has increased by £2 billion in the last two Budgets. We put 13,000 more officers on our streets compared to the previous government's cuts of 20,000 officers and poor focus on neighbourhood policing.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address how rural areas will be protected from resource diversion to cities.

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Q4 Matt Vickers Con Stockton West
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement
Context

Research shows that shoplifting and robberies against rural retailers have surged since the current government came to power, raising questions about police numbers.

Question

Does the Minister think increased shop theft is due to 1,318 fewer officers or refusal to mandate tagging for serial offenders? Which is it—fewer police or weaker consequences?

Answer from Sarah Jones

Shop theft rose by 60% in the last two years under the previous government. We are taking action through new offences, antisocial behaviour orders, rape and serious sexual offences teams, and knife crime measures. We put 13,000 more officers on our streets compared to the previous government.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address whether fewer police or weaker consequences are responsible for increased theft.

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Q5 Matt Vickers Con Stockton West
Crime & Law Enforcement Community Security
Context

Research highlights a surge in shop theft and retail worker assaults since the current government's tenure, questioning whether police cuts or weak penalties are responsible.

Question

Does the Minister think increased crime is due to fewer officers or weaker consequences for offenders? Which is it?

Answer from Sarah Jones

Shop theft rose by 60% under the previous government. We are tackling antisocial behaviour and introducing measures to protect shop workers, new rape teams in every force, and thousands more officers on our streets compared to the last Conservative government.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly state whether police numbers or penalties were responsible for increased crime rates.

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