National Rural Crime Network's Conference Elevates Collaborative Efforts to Combat Rural Crime

Last week, the National Rural Crime Network (NRCN) successfully hosted its second Annual Conference. Hosted at the Institute of Directors in London, the Conference brought together government officials, policymakers, academics, law enforcement officials, private sector businesses and other key stakeholders to discuss the progress so far and the way forward in the collaborative fight against rural crime. 

The Conference was attended by Police and Crime Commissioners from across the country, providing them with a platform to share their work and foster knowledge exchange, which was the primary theme of the day. Attendees were updated on leading initiatives in key areas of rural crime, including rural domestic violence awareness led by the Willow Project, innovative solutions adopted by Historic England to prevent heritage crime, and the significant developments made by the National Rural Crime Unit in tackling organised crime gangs.

The Annual Conference also welcomed Daniel Zeichner, Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and Rt Hon Lord Hanson, Minister of State at the Home Office as keynote speakers. Beyond reaffirming rural crime prevention as a government priority, the ministers outlined the measures the government plans on taking to address it, from environmental concerns to law enforcement challenges. 

As part of this commitment, during the conference, the government announced £800,000 in funding to combat rural and wildlife crime. This investment will help strengthen law enforcement efforts, improve intelligence-sharing, and provide much-needed support to rural communities affected by crime. Lord Hanson also confirmed that secondary legislation for the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023 will be introduced later this year.  

While the NRCN acknowledged the allocated funding and the forthcoming legislation are positive steps towards giving the rural communities a fairer chance to tackle crime, it also emphasised that more work needs to be done. As The NRCN Chair, Tim Passmore, welcomed the additional support offered by the government, he also represented the appeals of multiple attendees by calling for fairer distribution of resources across counties. 

By bringing together key stakeholders, the Conference served as a vital platform for shaping the future of rural security. Beyond just discussing the challenges – it was about identifying real, actionable solutions. It gave the private sector an opportunity to present innovative solutions and intelligence led technology that can contribute significantly to the law enforcement’s efforts. 

The insights shared will help guide future policies, creating a more robust approach to tackling these issues, ultimately protecting both livelihoods and the rural way of life. 

The National Rural Crime Annual Conference 2025, hosted in association with Neighbourhood Alert, underscored the urgent need for continued collaboration and investment in tackling rural crime. With new funding commitments and strengthened partnerships, the event set the stage for more effective crime prevention measures and greater support for those on the front lines of rural security. 

The Rural Services Network is a Member of the National Rural Crime Network.