An MP has called for tougher action against rural crime at a recent summit.

Kit Malthouse, MP for North West Hampshire, organised a meeting, on Friday, May 23 at Selfs Farm in Faccombe, with police chiefs, landowners and gamekeepers to review progress on tackling rural crime.

The meeting, the second in six months, follows a serious incident last year in which a gamekeeper was left seriously injured after a confrontation with suspected poachers.

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MP Kit Malthouse organised the second rural crime summit in six months. (Image: Kit Malthouse MP) Mr Malthouse said: "You might recall the brutal incident in our area last year – a local gamekeeper left seriously injured after clashing with suspected poachers.

"Arrests followed, and the investigation continues, but that attack sent shockwaves through our rural communities."

In response, Mr Malthouse and fellow MP Danny Kruger organised the rural crime summit focused on the tri-county border, setting out a plan to tackle rural crime "head-on".

Mr Malthouse said: "We followed up last week — and the good news is, progress is being made. More police on the ground, more stops and arrests, and better intel sharing between Hampshire, Wiltshire, and Thames Valley forces.

"But here’s the bottom line: catching criminals isn’t enough. The justice system needs to hit harder, especially when it comes to violent gangs stealing farm equipment, poaching, and hare coursing.

“Let’s call it what it is — rural terrorism. These are calculated attacks meant to intimidate people who live and work in the countryside. Without serious consequences, this won’t stop.

"We’ll reconvene in the autumn to keep the pressure on — and to make sure rural crime keeps falling.”