Crime and Policing Act 2026 introduces new powers relevant to rural crime

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The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO) would like to highlight several provisions of the Crime and Policing Act 2026, which came into force on 29 June 2026 and may be of interest to gamekeepers, landowners and those working in the countryside.

One of the most significant changes is the introduction of a new offence of trespassing on premises, such as buildings or enclosed areas, with the intention of committing an offence.

The legislation provides police with an additional enforcement option in certain circumstances where there is evidence that a person has entered premises intending to commit an offence, even if that offence is not ultimately carried out.

The NGO emphasises that this does not make all trespass a criminal offence. Ordinary trespass generally remains a civil matter, and the new offence applies only in specific circumstances. As with all new legislation, its scope and practical application will become clearer as the courts begin to interpret the provisions through future cases.

The Act also removes the requirement for police to issue a warning before exercising certain existing vehicle seizure powers. This may enable officers to respond more quickly where vehicles are being used in a manner that causes alarm, distress or annoyance, including incidents that occur in rural communities.

The legislation also improves police access to driver licensing information and introduces wider measures designed to support law enforcement.

While these provisions are not a complete solution to rural crime, they represent practical changes that may assist police in responding to offending in the countryside.

The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation will continue to monitor how the legislation is applied in practice and keep members informed as further provisions of the Crime and Policing Act 2026 are brought into force.

ENDS

The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation (NGO) represents the gamekeepers of England and Wales. The NGO defends and promotes gamekeeping and gamekeepers and works to ensure high standards throughout the profession.

The National Gamekeepers’ Organisation was founded in 1997 by a group of gamekeepers who felt that keepering was threatened by public misunderstanding and poor representation. Today, there are 13,000 members of the National Gamekeepers’ Organisation.  www.nationalgamekeepers.org.uk