08 Sep 2026
This week marks National Rural Crime Action Week 2026, bringing organisations and communities together to ensure rural crime remains firmly on the national agenda.
Running until 11 September, this year’s theme is “Police Reform Must Include Rural Communities.” It comes amid growing concern about increasingly organised criminal activity targeting farms, rural businesses, heritage sites and vital infrastructure.
The Rural Services Network is a member of the National Rural Crime Network and is proud to support the week and its call for rural experiences to help shape future policing policy.
Each day explores a different aspect of rural crime and policing, including serious and organised crime, local rural crime teams, community confidence, partnership working and the role of communities themselves. A parliamentary drop-in will also take rural voices directly to Westminster.
Rural crime can have a profound impact on people’s livelihoods, wellbeing and way of life. Effective police reform must therefore recognise the particular challenges of policing large, sparsely populated areas and ensure rural victims feel heard and supported.
Organisations and residents are encouraged to join the conversation, share their experiences and highlight the partnerships and practical initiatives helping to make rural communities safer.
