THE fight to stem the rising tide of rural and wildlife crime in the county was taken to Parliament this week.

Dr Neil Hudson MP for Penrith and The Border highlighted the ongoing problem of rural and wildlife crime and welcomed the increase in police funding, which will provide additional support to local communities in the fight against crime in rural areas.

Speaking in the House of Commons, he said theft of farm machinery, burglary, animal theft and cruelty, antisocial behaviour and vandalism were just some of the issues facing rural areas.

His comments came as the RSPB's latest Birdcrime report, published today, reveals bird of prey persecution is still rife. While in 2019 the were no incidents reported in Cumbria, over the past decade it's listed in the top 20 worst counties with over 20 confirmed incidents of bird of prey persecution.

Last year in the UK there were 85 confirmed incidents of bird of prey persecution, involving buzzards, red kits, peregrines, golden eagles and hen harriers being shot trapped and poisoned, and despite work by police forces RSPB Investigations, and volunteers, it is claimed the law is failing to protect these birds.

Meanwhile, praising the Cumbria Farmwatch Scheme, a partnership between people and Cumbria Police, Dr Hudson asked Government to reassure his constituents that there is support provided to the police and communities in the fight against rural and wildife crime.

In response, the Minister for Crime and Policing, Kit Malthouse MP, said ' Obviously, the provision of significant extra numbers of police officers to Cumbria Police will help the Chief Constable in deliberations about where to put those resources. Although that is an operational matter, one would hope that some of it will be devoted to rural crime. On wildlife crime, I am pleased to report that we are putting £136,000 into the National Wildlife Crime Unit so that it can continue its valuable work.'

Dr Hudson added, "I was really pleased to receive the assurance from the Home Office that tackling rural and wildlife crime is a priority for the Government. In addition to the provision of extra numbers of police officers in Cumbria in recent months, I really welcome the further support this additional funding will provide to the police and communities in the fight against crime in rural areas."