The report showed that:
- Rural theft cost an estimated £43.3 million last year, the lowest annual cost recorded in five years.
- The cost of GPS theft almost doubled, rising to £2.9 million.
- Dog attacks rose by 50% in the first quarter of 2021, compared to the same period in 2020.
Emotional toll
NFU Deputy President Stuart Roberts, pictured above, said:
“Rural crime continues to be a huge issue for British farmers and its impact is enormous. Whether it’s having a vital piece of equipment stolen at harvest time or an industrial load of rubbish dumped on your land, the practical effects for a business are significant.
“But we must also remember that farms are also homes to farming families and frequently these criminal acts bring with them intimidation or threats of violence. We must not overlook the emotional toll rural crime can have."
Coordinated approach
Mr Roberts said:
“While it’s good news that the overall cost of rural theft fell significantly last year, it’s clear that the situation remains far from positive with fly-tipping and dog attacks on livestock continuing to rise.
“This reflects what we hear from our members on a daily basis and it underlines the importance of a much more coordinated approach between central government, local authorities and the police to tackle this ongoing problem.
“Tackling rural crime needs to be taken seriously, with its links to organised crime properly understood, and there needs to be a commitment to level up policing for both urban and rural areas to create a safer, cleaner and greener rural Britain.”
Raising the issue in the media
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