Across the UK, rural crime cost £54m in 2019 - an increase of nearly nine percent - with the total being largely driven by organised criminal gangs targeting high value tractors, quad bikes and large numbers of livestock.
The figures come as part of NFU Mutual’s annual Rural Crime Report.
While there have been some reductions in crime under lockdown, there are concerns from the insurer that rural theft is set to escalate as the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic takes hold.
Demand from overseas for expensive farm equipment is fuelling a rise in the theft of Land Rovers, quad bikes and high-value tractors, says NFU Mutual.
In one joint operation earlier this year between NFU Mutual and the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service, five vehicles totalling more than £100,000 were recovered from Poland earlier this year.
GPS systems on tractors are a target, and livestock theft also increased in 2019.
’ Well-organised gangs taking large numbers of sheep, which are thought to enter the food chain illegally, are driving the increase,’ said a spokesperson.
’ A spate of sheep being slaughtered and butchered in farmers’ fields also contributed to the rise, and farmers continued to be affected by rustling during the pandemic.’
Roz Hill, Regional Manager at NFU Mutual in Devon and Cornwall, said: ’While we welcome the news that Devon and Cornwall didn’t see the sharp increases of the rest of the UK, rural crime continues to have a devastating impact on our farmers and rural communities.
’There’s no doubt that organised criminal gangs are targeting our countryside again and these figures would be much higher if it weren’t for the specialist rural crime team at Devon and Cornwall Police, and improved farm security measures such as trackers for tractors and quads.’
As well as the financial cost, thefts from farms also have a mental health impact for those working in often isolated and pressured conditions, she adds.
This year NFU Mutual invested £430,000 to tackle rural crime, including a police UK-wide agricultural vehicle crime tracking and recovery unit. The National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS) co-ordinates farm machinery theft intelligence between NFU Mutual, police forces, Border Force and Interpol. The insurer has also provided funding for the welfare and shelter of stolen farm animals as police investigate and track down their owners.
NFU Mutual works closely with Devon & Cornwall Police and last Autumn launched an anti-cold calling campaign to protect farmers from would-be criminals who turn up at farms to stake out whether there is anything worth stealing.
The insurer’s rural theft figures are used by police forces to help them understand rural crime on their patch and plan rural police responses. It also provides support and expert advice to many local farm and rural watch schemes across the UK.
For more information on rural crime trends and advice on how to beat rural crime in your area download the report at www.nfumutual.co.uk/ruralcrime.