NRCN: Call For Evidence On Serious And Organised Crime

The National Rural Crime Network (NRCN) is encouraging partners and stakeholders to respond to a new inquiry launched by the Home Affairs Committee into the impact of serious and organised crime (SOC) on neighbourhoods across the UK, including the distinct and growing challenges facing rural communities.

The Committee is examining the scale of SOC, its impact on everyday life in towns, cities and rural areas, and whether current policing arrangements are fit for purpose. A formal call for evidence is now open, inviting submissions on organised theft, drug supply networks, fraud, rural crime and organised fly-tipping - offences that frequently and disproportionately affect rural residents, farmers, landowners and businesses.

Why This Matters For Rural Communities

This inquiry presents an important opportunity to ensure rural voices, experiences and operational realities are clearly represented at a national level. The evidence gathered will help shape future policy, policing capability and potential structural reform.

NRCN encourages stakeholders and partners to contribute evidence on:

• The scale and nature of serious and organised crime affecting rural communities
• The impact on rural residents, farmers, landowners and rural businesses
• Challenges in rural policing, enforcement capacity and partnership working
• Examples of effective local initiatives that mitigate SOC impacts
• The potential impact of proposed policing changes (including a National Police Service and Regional Crime Hubs) on rural areas

How To Submit Evidence

Evidence can be submitted directly via the inquiry webpage here. The deadline for submissions is 20 March 2026.

NRCN can support partners and members in preparing or coordinating submissions. Please contact the Network at [email protected] if you would like to discuss your contribution.

By contributing evidence, we can ensure that rural realities are fully understood at the national level and that future reforms strengthen rural resilience.