High-value tractors stolen for export and rising thefts of livestock from farms have helped push up the cost of rural crime, reversing the previous year's fall, according to NFU Mutual.

Figures released by the rural insurer on Monday (11th August) suggested that crime cost the rural economy £44.5m in 2013, a 5.2 percent increase on 2012 figures. However, although the value of claims increased, the number of vehicles stolen actually fell last year.

Farms in the East of England are at the highest risk, with the highest rate of crime by claims coming from Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire and Essex, though the largest year-on-year increases were in the East Midlands, Northern Ireland, East Anglia and the North East (where claims rose 38%, 15%, 12% and 12% respectively).

In the arable counties of Eastern England, which had a large number of expensive claims last year, thefts of high-value tractors, supposedly stolen to order, led crime costs to increase. However, NFU Mutual said that a new trend had been identified in its annual Rural Crime Survey; as newer, higher-value tractor models are routinely fitted with hi-tech security systems, lower value models are increasingly being targeted, also reportedly for export.

The cost of livestock theft also rose 25 percent across the UK, making 2013 one on the worst years on records. Northern Ireland, currently suffering a spate of cattle and sheep rustling incidents, was the most seriously-affected part of the UK. However the problem also appears to be on the increase in mainland Britain, where large-scale sheep rustling in the North West and North East of England led to theft claims increases of 68 percent and 52% respectively.

Though claims for valuable items led prices higher last year, the most commonly targeted items in the last twelve months remain similar to previous years; fuel – such as domestic heating oil and farmers’ supplies of 'red' diesel – tools and quad bikes were the items most commonly stolen from farms. However, the theft of pesticides from farm chemical stores was reported as a newly emerging trend. In one case farm chemicals costing nearly £20,000 were stolen in a single raid.

As in previous years, quad bikes were also commonly stolen by rural thieves, with the cost of theft up 14 percent in 2013.

Tim Price, NFU Mutual Rural Affairs Specialist, commented on the findings, "After a welcome fall in the cost of rural theft in 2012, it's deeply disappointing to see it rising again. Much of this increase is from tractors – which can be worth up to £80,000 – being targeted by organised criminal gangs.

"There is no doubt that both opportunist criminals and members of international criminal gangs are targeting farms, While the first group will often move on to an easier target if they see a farm has even basic security in place, the latter are professionally organised with a specific target, so it’s vital that farmers regularly review their security measures and update them to keep one step ahead of would-be thieves."

NFU Mutual has developed a farm security checklist, to help farmers reduce their likelihood of falling victim to crime:

• 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 tractors
• Use security lighting in yards and drives
• Have the Vehicle Identification Number etched on vehicle windows
• Consider immobilizers and tracking devices 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
• Mark valuable tools and equipment with unique identification
• Ensure computers are kept in well-secured buildings
• Lock up tools, equipment and vehicles out of sight