DEPUTY MAYOR BACKS NATIONAL RURAL CRIME WEEK

Published 8 September 2026 at 1:30pm

South Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Kilvinder Vigurs is backing National Rural Crime Week, highlighting the challenges facing rural communities and the ongoing efforts to tackle crime in the countryside.

National Rural Crime Action Week (6-11 September) brings together police forces, farmers, landowners and rural organisations to raise awareness of the impact of crime on countryside communities and to ensure rural priorities are central to future policing reforms.

According to the National Farmers' Union, rural crime costs the UK more than £40 million every year. Offences include fly-tipping, machinery theft, livestock theft, livestock butchery and hare coursing.

South Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime Kilvinder Vigurs said:

“I am proud to support National Rural Crime Action Week and help raise awareness of the issues that continue to blight many of our countryside communities. When I started my post last year, I attended several rural crime meetings to hear first-hand about the problems faced by our farmers and the local community.

“I was very grateful for the time farmers, and their families have spent with me showing me the impact crime and wider anti-social behaviour has on them. I have seen the devastation caused by fly-tipping, and how harvests and fencing have been ruined by off-road and quad bikes. The financial impact from serious-organised crime gangs stealing heavy duty farming equipment has a significant final impact on farmers. It is unacceptable.

“This week helps by shining a spotlight on the realities of rural crime, the partnerships making a difference, and the importance of ensuring that rural communities' priorities form part of future policing reforms.

“I am pleased that the Mayoral Authority has been supporting the countryside through our Rural Crime Initiative. It provides funding to help individuals and businesses improve security and protect their property from crime. We have seen a steady uptake on this offer to target harden properties and help gain intelligence relating things happening in the countryside, which will assist in police enforcement.

“We can all play a role by keeping our eyes and ears open, identifying suspicious behaviour, and reporting anything that seems unusual. Everyone can provide valuable intelligence and help make our countryside safer.”

The theme of this year's week of action is ensuring that the Government's proposed changes to policing fully reflect the needs of rural communities. The Government is currently considering reforms to policing structures and priorities that could shape policing for the next decade. The National Rural Crime Network is working to ensure the voices of rural communities are heard throughout that process.

South Yorkshire Police has strengthened its response to rural crime through the introduction of dedicated off-road bike teams and by training around 40 officers across all districts as rural crime specialists. The force has also increased its use of drones, helping officers identify suspicious activity and target offenders more effectively.

South Yorkshire Police also works closely with farmers, landowners, gamekeepers, rural businesses, village communities, Neighbourhood Watch groups and victim support organisations to tackle the issues affecting those who live and work in the countryside.

This tight network of people and organisations are working incredibly hard to ensure our countryside provides the harvests required to feed us, gives places of beauty we can enjoy and be proud of.