The cost of crime in the countryside rose almost 9% in just 12 months, the 2020 Rural Crime Report, published by NFU Mutual                              on Tuesday (4 August), has revealed. And the economic effect of the coronavirus pandemic is likely to see crime rates escalate further, warned the rural insurer.

Criminal gangs are targeting expensive tractors, quad bikes and large numbers of livestock. 

Farm vehicle theft rose nearly 25% to £9.3m in 2019, says the report. But smaller, high-value items – including tractor GPS kits –                        are also being targeted.

NFU Mutual rural affairs specialist Rebecca Davidson said: “Rural crime is like a wave, as organised criminality spreads through our                      villages, farms and fells, affecting everyone in the countryside.”

Case study: GPS thefts hamper harvest progress

Thefts of tractor GPS equipment are proving a massive headache for Norfolk farmers – with 18 kits stolen from farms in the county. The GPS electronic systems cost as much as £14,000 to replace. Their theft is also costing farmers money by delaying time-critical planting, spraying and harvesting operations while stolen equipment is replaced.

 PC Jonathan Chandler from Norfolk Police’s rural crime team said: “Thefts are well organised and carefully researched by criminals who travel the countryside to spot tractors equipped with GPS, and then return at night to steal the kits.

Biggest increase

She added: “We continue to work hard to stem the tide and are warning rural communities and helping with prevention advice –                          as there are concerns for the months ahead as the economic impact of coronavirus bites.”

The cost of rural crime rose in all UK countries and regions. The biggest percentage increase was seen in Scotland (44%),                                      although it remains below the UK average. The second highest rise was 18% in Northern Ireland, followed by the East of England (16.9%).

Demand from overseas for expensive farm kit is fuelling the rise. In one joint operation between NFU Mutual and the National Vehicle            Crime Intelligence Service, five vehicles totalling more than £100,000 were recovered from Poland earlier this year.

This year, provisional theft claims data for the first half of 2020 indicates that rural theft fell overall during the early part of the                            coronavirus lockdown – but was followed by a resurgence, including a spike in livestock rustling in April.

Ms Davidson said: “There’s no doubt that organised criminal gangs are targeting our countryside again.”

Police rural crime teams and improved farm security measures such as vehicle trackers were helping to prevent a bad situation becoming worse.  But they also risk displacing organised criminality from one area to another.