According to figures released today by rural insurers NFU mutual, theft from farms has “reached new levels”. The insurers revealed that in 2011 the estimated cost of theft to UK agriculture was £52.7 million.

The figure represents a rise of 6 per cent on the previous year. A break-down of the data shows machinery and tractor theft decreased overall (claims fell by 11 per cent), though livestock, diesel and metal thefts all increased. In fact, although tractor thefts fell in England and Wales, incidences increased in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

NFU Mutual posited that the rise in ‘agri-crime’ could be put down to the current social climate. Analysts said the shift in the type of thefts, from high-value machinery to livestock and fuel, could have occurred “as austerity measures bite.”

The insurers released the ‘agri-crime’ data as part of the annual NFU Mutual Rural Crime Survey. The survey suggests “poor economic conditions and rising commodity prices are the two main factors behind the steady rise in rural crime over the last twelve months.”

Although machinery thefts remain prevalent; power tools and ATVs remain firm favourites with thieves in rural regions, the insurers said, “emerging trends such as metal theft are being carried out on such a large scale that even an 11 per cent drop in the theft of tractors has been engulfed by the cost of replacing items that can be scrapped or resold for a fraction of their worth.”

A new and perturbing trend highlighted by the survey was theft of agrochemicals. NFU Mutual branch staff in arable farming areas noted thieves are now targeting farm chemical stores to steal pesticides and herbicides which can cost over £600 for 10 litres.

Implications of rising agri-crime rates

The survey showed an interesting shift in farmers’ attitude to crime. In the past, many rural residents have expressed concern at the effect austerity measures will have on rural policing, fearing a reduced police presence will leave farmers and country-dwellers ‘vulnerable’. Police forces have attempted to address this by encouraging farmers to make use of improvements in communication technology and social media, by joining together to share information and joining Farmwatch schemes.  

However, the Rural Crime Survey reveals insurance agents, claims staff and farmers believe high-tech security measures like CCTV and tracker devices, as well as physical security measures such as locks and alarms, are more effective than a greater police presence or tougher sentencing for criminals at reducing the instance of crime.

Since last year, there have been a number of regional rural crime conferences and one national event at which insurers, police and other farming groups liaised with farmers and discussed methods of reducing crime in rural regions and improving security.

Lindsay Sinclair, Group Chief Executive of NFU Mutual, commented on the findings, “It is a sad fact but the countryside has long been seen as an easy target for criminals. Encouragingly, country folk are not taking the blight lying down, fighting back with both high-tech security measures as well as more innovative schemes.”

To help members, NFU Mutual has developed a farm security checklist:

• Remove keys and secure cars, tractors, and other vehicles when unattended
• Keep gates to farm yards closed whenever possible
• Fit CESAR marking systems and immobilizers to high value tractors
• Use security lighting in yards and drives
• Have the Vehicle Identification Number etched on vehicle windows
• Consider tracking devices and/or immobilisers for more expensive machines/cars
• Physically secure ATVs using suitable locking devices or heavy duty security chain and padlocks
• Record machinery serial numbers
• Mark livestock clearly and count them regularly
• Use Smart Water to mark valuable tools and equipment
• Ensure computers are kept in well-secured buildings
• Lock up tools and equipment out of sight

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