Rural Crime (Strategy) Bill

A Bill to require the Secretary of State to establish a task force to produce a strategy for tackling rural crime; to require the Secretary of State to implement the strategy; and for connected purposes.

Originating House

House of Commons

Sponsor

Ben MaguireLiberal Democrat

Parliament last updated

17 March 2026

In Plain English

AI-generated

May contain errors — check source documents for definitive information.

The Rural Crime (Strategy) Bill would require the Government to set up a dedicated task force to create a national strategy for tackling rural crime, and then to implement that strategy. It aims to improve safety in rural areas by coordinating policing and government action to prevent and respond to crimes that affect countryside communities.

Key Points

Establishes a dedicated rural crime task force to develop a national strategy.
Requires the Secretary of State to implement the strategy once it is produced.
The strategy would coordinate action across policing, rural affairs and other government bodies to tackle rural crime.
Focuses on crimes affecting rural areas, such as theft of equipment and livestock.
Introduced in the Commons and currently at the second reading stage.

Progress

The bill is at the second reading in the House of Commons. If it progresses, it would move to committee stage for detailed scrutiny.

Who is affected?

Residents of rural areasFarmers, landowners and agricultural businessesRural workers and contractorsRural police forces and crime commissionersCountryside organisations and associations

Generated 21 February 2026

Bill Stages

1st readingCommons

13 Jan 2025

2nd readingCommons

17 Apr 2026

Committee stageCommons

Report stageCommons

3rd readingCommons

1st readingLords

2nd readingLords

Committee stageLords

Report stageLords

3rd readingLords

Royal Assent

Updates & Documents

News (1)

Rural Crime (Strategy) Bill

11 Sept 2025

The next stage for this Bill, Second reading, is scheduled to take place on Friday 17 April 2026, although the House of Commons is not expected to be sitting on that date.

This is a Private Members' Bill and was presented to Parliament on Monday 13 January.

Parliamentary Votes (0)

No recorded votes for this bill yet.