An insurance expert has warned that rural crime is becoming ‘more organised, sophisticated and determined in its nature’.

The cost of rural crime is rising, according to National Farmers Union (NFU) Mutual.

Rural crime includes theft of vehicles, livestock, fuel, dogs attacking farm animals, fly-tipping and illegal waste dumping.

NFU Mutual spokesperson Colin Campbell said how better organised culprits are becoming ‘incredibly alarming for people who live and work in the countryside’.

Mr Campbell said thieves are increasingly targeting high value equipment such as Global Positioning System (GPS) units, the theft of which has increased in the UK by 137%.

Thieves frequently target several farms in one night before moving locations to steal GPS units, which can cost over £10,000, often revisiting farmyards weeks later to steal any replacements, said the insurer.

Without GPS, the rural insurer said farmers and agricultural contractors could face severe delays and disruption to harvesting and cultivating work.

Quad bikes and all-terrain vehicles were also top targets for rural thieves, with thefts up 9% in the UK to an estimated £3.2m in claim costs reported to NFU Mutual last year.

The NFU Rural Crime Report provides a unique insight into trends and the cost of rural theft.

Every year the insurer gathers claims statistics, surveying people in the heart of our rural communities and seeking views from experts including the police to provide a detailed picture of rural crime’s financial and social impact.

READ MORE | What you can do to combat on-farm crime

NFU Mutual’s latest figures estimate that the cost of rural crime increased by 4.3% year-on-year in 2023, to £52.8m, as criminal gangs targeted farmyards and fields looking to cash in on continuing high inflation and ready resale markets domestically and overseas.

Rural crime is not a new phenomenon, but recent years has seen a rise in organised criminals targeting high value equipment on farms.

NFU Mutual chairman, Jim McLaren, said: “As a farmer, I know that the theft of important machinery isn’t the worst thing about being a victim of rural crime. Neither is the inconvenience and stress of sourcing replacements and having to adjust farming activities.

“It’s the horrible feeling that criminals have brazenly staked out and targeted farmyards and fields, often only a few feet away from the family home.

“Then, working alone makes it all too easy for our problems to weigh us down and negatively impact our mental wellbeing. We aren’t great at sharing our problems. But we must talk about them more.”

Mr McLaren continued: “Talk to your neighbours, who often face the same threats. Work with farm watch groups and your local rural police team. There’s much truth in the saying ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’.

“Today it is evident that rural crime is becoming increasingly organised and ever more sophisticated, with examples of criminal gangs using technology such as drones to identify and scope out targets.

To tackle these determined thieves, NFU Mutual is proud to provide financial support and expertise to the newly established National Rural Crime Unit (NRCU).

Working alongside industry and lawmakers, NFU Mutual supported The Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act which came into law last summer. It is hoped similar legislation will be replicated in Scotland to tackle cross-border crime and will continue to work with partners to counter rural crime and stand against organised gangs.

“Our close links to farming mean we understand the severe stress and disruption that rural crime is causing our members. Faced with continuing threats from organised thieves, it is vital farmers, their communities, and industry continue to work together to tackle rural crime.

“It is clear co-ordinated efforts from insurers, farmers, manufacturers, police and politicians are key in providing a united response to the rural crime challenge presented by organised criminals and opportunistic thieves.”

NFU rural affairs specialist, Hannah Binns, discussed: "All the indications suggest rural crime is becoming more organised, sophisticated, and determined in its nature.

"Our latest figures estimate that that the cost of rural crime increased by 4.3% year-on-year in 2023, to £52.8m, as criminal gangs targeted farmyards and fields looking to cash in on continuing high inflation and ready resale markets domestically and overseasRural crime is not a new phenomenon by any stretch of the imagination, but there is a concerning rise in organised criminals targeting our farms and rural communitiesA survey of NFU Mutual agents, who are often embedded in the local communities they serve, found 91% believed thieves were more organised, with 82% saying they knew farmers who had been impacted by rural crime in their area.”

77% of NFU Mutual agents knew farmers who had been repeat victims, leaving farmers feeling vulnerable in what is not just their workplace but also their family home.

Ms Binns continued: “Another notable concern is that 86% of those agents surveyed said rural crime was negatively impacting farmers’ mental wellbeing.

"This, alongside various industry challenges, makes it more important than ever for farmers and their families to speak out about anything that may be troubling them and seek support through charities such as the Farm Safety Foundation - Yellow Wellies.”