Over the last couple of years criminals have been targeting farms in Britain with a 17 per cent rise in agri-crime.
New figures from NFU Mutual, reveals that theft to UK agriculture is estimated to have cost £49.7 million in 2010, with two thirds (62%) of branches reporting an increase in rural crime in their area.
The NFU Mutual Rural Crime Survey (RCS) is based on the 2010 claims experience of its network of branch offices located in rural towns and villages. Unlike some other crime reports, NFU Mutual’s survey includes claims for crimes against homes, farms, commercial premises and vehicles.
There is little sign of rural crime slowing as the countryside continues to prove difficult to police and attitudes towards security remain relaxed.
When asked about the main reason thieves target the countryside, 41% of branches said the fact it was such a sparse area made it difficult to police, with 32% claiming there was less chance of thieves being seen. 23% thought relaxed attitudes towards to security measures could also be a factor.
While thieves have focused on targeting farms and businesses during broad daylight to steal expensive tractors, heating oil, scrap metal and livestock, the latest Rural Crime Survey shows an emergence of some new trends.
59% of NFU Mutual branches believe that the most common time of day for thieves to act is during the night (midnight – 6am). 59% also reported that thefts from farms or outbuildings was the biggest problem in their area, while 12% said garden sheds and garages have proven tempting for thieves.
The Survey also highlighted an increased demand for high priced items that are portable and easy to sell on. The theft of power tools such as chainsaws, electric drills and lawnmowers has topped the most stolen items list, although the NFU Mutual Crime Map shows different priorities across the country.
Commenting on the issue of rural crime and successful initiatives, Lindsay Sinclair, Chief Executive of NFU Mutual, said: “Whether it’s the recession, tighter security in towns, or the rise in oil, meat and scrap metal prices countryside people are feeling the blight of rural crime on their land.
“However, country people are not taking this scourge lying down. Across the country new rural security initiatives are springing up involving rural communities and insurers such as NFU Mutual.
“We’ve already seen that by working with the police forces and manufacturers, tractor theft and organised rural crime can be tackled head-on. A united front against crime in the countryside will help to protect communities from being targeted further with vigilance as the watchword.”
Source : NFU Mutual
