An MP has called for tougher action to address rising rural crime.
Stuart Anderson, Conservative MP, has backed his party's rural crime plan, which focuses on clamping down on tool and farm theft, crimes that cost businesses an estimated £44 million in 2024 alone.
Mr Anderson said: "Through my Shop Local Survey, residents shared with me the importance of improving the atmosphere of our high streets and boosting public safety.
"Given this situation, I am deeply disappointed that South Shropshire is not included in the government's Winter of Action on town centre crime and anti-social behaviour.
"Long-term support is needed to make a real difference in rural communities and to tackle tool theft, which has sadly surged in recent years."
While incidents of tool theft have declined, the crime remains a persistent issue in areas like South Shropshire.
Mr Anderson is calling for the reinstatement of the Safer Streets Fund, which invested more than £150 million in over 400 crime prevention projects between 2021 and 2024.
The government has ruled out bringing back the fund, focusing instead on its current Winter of Action scheme targeting town centre crime.
Mr Anderson believes existing measures do not go far enough to address the unique challenges facing rural communities, particularly those in farming.
He has argued for dedicated rural police units and targeted investment in crime-fighting tools.
He said: "I am proud to support the Conservative Party's Plan to call time on rural crime and protect our farmers facing rising crime levels.
"This includes launching rural crime taskforces in communities across the country and increasing penalties on the criminals who steal from those who build and feed our nation."
The Conservatives’ plan includes allocating a portion of 10,000 new police recruits, backed by an £800 million investment, specifically to rural crime.
It also proposes cracking down on secondary markets for stolen equipment, such as car boot sales, and treating theft of high-value tools as an aggravating factor in sentencing.
The plan calls for higher fines that would fully compensate victims for lost earnings and equipment, directing proceeds to local police forces.
Mr Anderson has also suggested a "rural uplift" in funding to reflect the additional pressures of policing large, sparsely populated areas.
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