Farming groups say rural England is being “left behind” as ministers move to abolish the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) from 2028, raising concerns that rural crime will be pushed further to the back of the agenda.
The NFU said the changes come at a pivotal time for ministers to protect rural interests, after many years of PCCs providing a direct democratic link between rural residents and police decisions.
Since its introduction, PCC has worked closely with farmers and rural organizations to address persistent issues such as machinery theft, livestock concerns, hare tracking and fly scattering. These crimes often hit isolated areas the hardest.
Under the new model, all powers of the PCC would be transferred to local mayors or city council-led police commissions at the end of their current terms. Announcing the reforms, Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood said: “The previous government’s introduction of police and crime commissioners was a failed experiment.
“I will introduce new reforms to make police accountable to local mayors and councils. These savings will fund more neighborhood police forces across the country to fight crime and protect our communities.”
The NFU warned that rural crime must not fall down the priority list as responsibility shifts. Vice Chair Rachel Harros said:
“Crimes like fly splatter, livestock anxiety, and equipment theft are not only costly but also emotionally distressing. A farm is more than just a business, it’s a home, and everyone has the right to feel safe in their community.”
He said the move to mayoral oversight needed to bring about a “stronger national focus on local crime” and reiterated the union’s call for a cross-departmental local crime task force to correct years of enforcement failures.
Concerns were also voiced by the Rural Alliance, which said the PCC was helping to make police aware of the unique nature of crime in rural areas.
Sarah Lee, director of policy, warned: “This decision risks silencing the voice of policing in rural England. The PCC has long been the only direct link between rural communities and police decisions.”
“Without them, rural crime, from rabbit poaching to fly-slinging to organized theft targeting farms, would fall further down the priority list.”
He added that a centralized model risks allowing “urban priorities” to prevail, leaving rural communities “to pay the price”.
The government says the reforms are expected to save around £100m by 2029, but farming groups warn financial savings must not come at the expense of rural safety. Rural theft alone will cost an estimated £44.1 million in 2024.
The PCC will remain in place until the next election, scheduled for 2028. Responsibility for police oversight would then be transferred to regional or combined authorities.
The Countryside Alliance said it would push for safeguards to ensure rural crime remains a national police priority, as part of a wider campaign to reconnect government with the countryside.
