Andy Dunbobbin Highlights Rural Crime Fight in North Wales 2026

Key Points

• Rural Crime Action Week takes place between 6–11 September 2026 in North Wales and nationwide.
• PCC Andy Dunbobbin states that addressing issues associated with rural and wildlife crime is one of the top priorities of his Police and Crime Plan 2025-2028.
• North Wales Police and PCC’s office along with partners are reaching out to rural communities in order to help to prevent crimes and increase reporting.
• A dedicated episode of North Wales Matters podcast devoted to rural crime was recorded at the Anglesey Show and included participation of representatives of NFU, FUW and police team.
• On 9 September, Mr Dunbobbin is meeting with Welsh farming unions and an expert on wildlife crime.
• In earlier part of 2026, there was a rural crime prevention event held at Ruthin Town Hall together with Cyber Resilience Centre for Wales and charity Tir Dewi.
• Nationally, NFU Mutual calculated rural crime loss in UK in 2025 at £41.5m, with increases in theft of quad bikes, ATVs and livestock.

Wales (Wales Times) September 12, 2026 — Rural Crime Action Week is being used to spotlight ongoing work to protect farming communities and address rural offences across the region, with activities led by North uk/police/">Wales Police, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner and partner organisations. As reported by the Leader Live newsroom, the campaign aims to engage rural communities, promote crime prevention measures and ensure rural voices help shape policing priorities.

PCC Andy Dunbobbin said: “Rural communities make a vital contribution to the social, cultural and economic life of North Wales, and it is essential that they receive the support and protection they deserve.” He added: “Through my Police and Crime Plan, I have made tackling rural and wildlife crime a priority, recognising the particular challenges faced by those living and working in our countryside.”

How is North Wales Police engaging rural communities?

Engagement has taken place throughout 2026 at major agricultural events, including the Anglesey Show and the Merioneth Show, where the commissioner’s team ran stalls to speak directly with farmers, rural business owners and residents about issues affecting their communities. Earlier this year, farmers, landowners, rural businesses and residents attended a rural crime prevention event at Ruthin Town Hall titled Preventing Rural Crime: Staying Secure Online and on the Farm, jointly organised by the PCC’s office, North Wales Police, the Cyber Resilience Centre for Wales and farming wellbeing charity Tir Dewi.

As reported by the North Wales PCC’s communications team, attendees received practical guidance on tackling rural crime and improving cyber security, while partners highlighted the importance of reporting incidents and intelligence to help police build a clearer picture of offending across rural areas.

What scrutiny and performance review has taken place?

The issue of rural crime has also been examined through the commissioner’s scrutiny programme. At a recent Strategic Executive Board meeting, Andy Dunbobbin joined chief officers from North Wales Police to review force performance and progress against priorities within the Police and Crime Plan. As part of a detailed review of rural and wildlife crime, the commissioner received updates on regional and national partnerships supporting the Rural Crime Team; police performance and emerging trends; resources dedicated to investigating rural offences and how they are deployed; and prevention initiatives designed to increase public confidence in reporting crime and sharing information.

What events are scheduled during the action week?

On Wednesday, 9 September, PCC Dunbobbin will join North Wales Police’s Rural Crime Team to meet Welsh farming unions, followed by a visit to a wildlife expert to discuss wildlife crime across North Wales and the role of a wildlife crime expert witness during investigations. The second edition of the North Wales Matters podcast, focused on rural crime and recorded at the Anglesey Show, features contributions from the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW), North Wales Police’s Cyber Crime Team and Rural Crime Team, and was timed to coincide with the action week.

What is the national context for rural crime in 2026?

Nationally, Rural Crime Action Week runs from 6–11 September and focuses on offences including machinery and fuel theft, livestock worrying, fly-tipping, poaching and wildlife crime. As reported by FarmingUK, NFU Mutual estimates rural crime cost the UK £41.5m in 2025, with thefts involving quad bikes, ATVs, agricultural vehicles and livestock continuing to rise despite a 6% fall in overall losses from £44.1m the previous year.

Scottish Land & Estates warned that incidents can leave businesses facing replacement costs, lost working time, higher insurance premiums, veterinary bills and additional security spending, and noted that livestock worrying can result in animals being seriously injured or killed, as well as miscarriages and lasting distress within a flock or herd. The Countryside Alliance argued that rural communities must not be an afterthought in police reform, citing disproportionate impacts where long distances and lower police visibility make victims feel more isolated and vulnerable.

What guidance is being given to residents and businesses?

Mr Dunbobbin urged people to report incidents and suspicious activity, saying information from rural communities is vital in helping North Wales Police identify offenders, target resources effectively and keep rural areas safe. Police forces and rural organisations across England, Wales and Scotland are using the week to step up engagement with farming communities, while warning that the impact of rural crime often extends far beyond the initial theft or damage.

Background: How did this development arise?

Rural and wildlife crime is identified as a priority area in the North Wales Police and Crime Plan 2025–2028, which sets out the commissioner’s strategic objectives for policing in the region. The plan’s prioritisation follows sustained engagement with farmers, landowners and rural businesses throughout 2025 and 2026, including attendance at agricultural shows, community events and scrutiny meetings to assess police performance on rural offences. The timing of the 2026 action week aligns with national campaigning by police forces and rural organisations, and follows publication of NFU Mutual’s rural crime report highlighting a £41.5m cost to the UK in 2025 and rising thefts of agricultural machinery and livestock.

Prediction: How could this affect rural communities in North Wales?

If engagement and reporting efforts during Rural Crime Action Week translate into higher intelligence flows and more targeted deployments by the Rural Crime Team, rural households and businesses in North Wales could see improved detection rates for machinery, fuel and livestock offences, alongside greater visibility of prevention advice at community events. Conversely, if reporting does not increase or organised criminal groups adapt quickly, the financial and emotional toll highlighted by NFU Mutual and Scottish Land & Estatessuch as replacement costs, lost working time and higher insurance premiums may persist, particularly in remote areas where response times and police visibility remain challenges.

Over the longer term, sustained prioritisation within the 2025–2028 Police and Crime Plan could embed stronger partnership working with unions, wildlife experts and cyber resilience specialists, potentially reducing vulnerability to both traditional rural crime and online-enabled offences affecting farms.