Rural crime in 2019, cost the UK economy 49.9M, this is a 12.1% increase on 2018. These new statistics show that rural crime has risen in almost every region of the UK.
Major issues:
- Agri-vehicle theft cost: £7.4M – up 26%
- ATV/Quad theft cost: £2.6M – up by 10%
- Livestock theft cost: £2.5M – up by 4%
The Eastern Region
Lincolnshire is among the three counties that are worst affected by rural crime and Norfolk also saw a 99.5% increase in the cost of rural crime.
Last year rural crime cost the region: £6.9M
Cost in 2017: £5.7M.
Change: 21.8% increase
A big concern is that many farmers feel vulnerable as they are often isolated. Criminals may forget, but farms are also people’s homes and break-ins result in emotional distress as well as monetary loss and the set-back of losing vital equipment.
Other worrying crime trends that are on the increase:
- Cybercrime
- Livestock theft
- Dog attacks on Livestock
- Fly-tipping
To read the full report click here: https://www.nfumutual.co.uk/farming/ruralcrime/
Or Download the Rural Crime Report 2019 [PDF: 672KB]
Suggested ways to improve your security:
Physical:
- Install fences
- Close and lock gates
- Secure sheds and outbuildings
- Lock away machinery and tools
- Use dogs or geese as early warning
- Use mechanical immobilisers on vehicles
- Mark livestock and property.
Community:
- Look out for your neighbours
- Join a Farm Watch scheme
- Share suspicious sightings with local community
- Maintain links with the police
- Report all crimes to the police.
Technology:
- Install CCTV
- Use security lighting in yards and drives
- Fit burglar alarms with infra-red motion detection
- Add a tracking or location device
- Set up geo-fence alerts
- Activate digital immobilisers.
We offer a variety of security solutions including gates and barriers, CCTV and intruder and fire alarms. With the GBSG Pulse® you can also receive up to date security reports, which means you can farm safely whilst being aware of your security levels and any incidents that are occurring. You can find out more on our dedicated Farm Security Page.
