The event highlighted the critical importance of working together to deliver the NFU’s practical plan of action designed to bring tangible improvements to rural communities.
Launching its latest rural crime report, NFU Mutual jointly hosted the reception with the NFU, which saw much praise for the cooperation between farmers, police, the industry and insurers that has led to a 16.5% reduction in the cost of rural crime in 2024.
More than 80 MPs, Peers and PCCs (Police and Crime Commissioners) gathered today to hear directly from NFU members and NFU Mutual representatives about the rural crime issues affecting their local area.
“Rural crime is not just about property. It’s about lives, livelihoods and the future of British farming.”
NFU Vice-president Rachel Hallos
Start of a trend
Derbyshire Dales MP John Whitby sponsored the event, urging his fellow MPs to do their utmost to “ensure the next generation of farmers can afford to enter, thrive and stay in the farming sector”.
“The protection of our rural communities must never be an afterthought,” he added.
NFU Vice-president Rachel Hallos said: “We know that when everyone pulls together – farmers, police, government and local leaders – we can achieve real, practical results.”
Progress on key areas such as hare coursing, equipment theft and livestock protection driven by years of dedicated NFU lobbying has shown what is possible, but “we mustn’t stop there”, Rachel added.
“I see this as the start of a trend, rather than a one-off in the reduction of crime,” said NFU President Tom Bradshaw, reflecting on NFU Mutual’s new figures.
NFU Mutual Chair Jim McLaren agreed, saying that “despite the drop in numbers, there is no room for complacency”.
“When we stand united, we pose the strongest threat to criminals,” he added.
Equipment theft law strengthened
Also in attendance was Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson who acknowledged that, despite the fall in the cost of rural crime outlined in the Mutual’s report, “there is still more to be done” on machinery theft.
“That’s why we are implementing the Equipment Theft Prevention Act 2023 to combat theft and the resale of high-value equipment, and I hope very much to introduce secondary legislation later this year to commence the Act.”
The NFU worked closely with Greg Smith, MP for Mid Buckinghamshire on the Equipment Theft Prevention Act, which became law in 2023, giving the Home Secretary the power to make regulations that deter the theft and resale of quads and ATVs.
The NFU would like to see the scope of the Bill widened in secondary legislation to include other agricultural equipment, with GPS theft reportedly costing NFU Mutual £1.2 million in 2024.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said the NFU looked forward to working with the government to introduce the legislation to help ensure there is a “significant deterrent” in place.
Missed opportunity on family farm tax
The Minister also spoke of the value of hearing first-hand from farmers following a policing roundtable held at North Yorkshire HQ earlier this year. Dame Diana said she welcomed the suggestions made there on how to tackle rural crime and recalled, in particular, the impact on farmers’ mental health.
With last week’s Spending Review at the forefront of MP's minds, Tom said the NFU has welcomed the securing of the budget for agriculture but added the government has “missed one opportunity” to review its inheritance tax policy “that is creating that mental health burden”.
He urged MPs in the room to continue to think about the “human impact that policy is going to have”.
Lives, livelihoods and the future of farming
In April last year, the government announced its rural crime strategy to stamp out crime and disorder, something which the NFU has long been calling for.
The strategy included tougher measures to crack down on criminal activities such as equipment theft, sheep worrying and fly-tipping.
The NFU has continued its lobbying efforts focussing on key areas of legislation such as the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023 and the passing of the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill, which is continuing to make its way through parliament. The government also consulted this year with the farming industry to strengthen and implement robust sentencing guidelines for hare coursing criminals following years of NFU lobbying.
“Our Investment and Innovation Blueprint sets out what is needed: better enforcement, properly funded rural policing and the tools to stop these crimes before they happen,” said NFU Vice-president Rachel Hallos.
“Farmers deserve to feel safe – in their homes, businesses and fields. Rural crime is not just about property. It’s about lives, livelihoods and the future of British farming.”
See the day in pictures:
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NFU President Tom Bradshaw speaking at the Summer Reception 2025
L-R: NFU Mutual chair Jim McLaren, Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire Dame Diana Johnson, NFU President Tom Bradshaw and Labour MP for Derbyshire Dales John Whitby
Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire Dame Diana Johnson speaking at the Summer Reception
NFU Mutual Chair Jim McLaren speaking at the Summer Reception
L-R: Cumbria Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner David Allen and Northumbria Superintendent Andy Huddleston
L-R: NFU Regional Director North David Hall, NFU North Regional Board Chair William Maughan and Markus Campbell-Savours (Labour MP for Penrith and Solway)
L-R: Liberal Democrat MP for Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire Angus MacDonald, NFU President Tom Bradshaw and Efra Select Committee Chair Alistair Carmichael
L-R: NFU President Tom Bradshaw, Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Victoria Atkins and Superintendent Andy Huddleston
L-R: Conservative MP for Bridlington and The Wolds Charlie Dewhirst, NFU Director General Terry Jones, Labour MP for Derbyshire Dales John Whitby and NFU Midlands Regional Board chair Jane Bassett
L-R: Plaid Cymru MP for Ynys Môn Llinos Medi, NFU Cymru President Aled Jones and Labour MP for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr Steve Witherden
L-R: Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne OBE, NFU President Tom Bradshaw, Conservative MP for North West Hampshire Kit Malthouse, Superintendent Andy Huddleston and Police and Crime Commissioner for Suffolk Tim Passmore
Photographs: Miranda Parry
