Farmers are being warned to step up their security as the clocks go back and the country enters the prime season for night-time rural crime.

Data from farm insurance claims indicates that October to December has been the costliest quarter for the last two years, as criminals use the cover of darkness to steal from the countryside, with organised gangs targeting high-value tractors, quad bikes and large numbers of livestock.

Insurer NFU Mutual reported that rural crime claims in the UK totalled £54m in 2019, and while some types of rural crime have fallen as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown, rural theft is now increasing in many parts of the UK as the economic impact of the pandemic bites. The latest crime trend to hit UK farms is the theft of tractor GPS systems, often during night-time raids.

Speaking from NFU Mutual, Rebecca Davidson said: “The longer hours of darkness can present greater opportunities for criminal activity, particularly in remote rural areas which may not benefit from as much lighting, passing traffic or general footfall in the evenings as urban settings.

“While some types of rural crime fell during the early part of lockdown we’ve seen alarming rises in smaller, more portable items of kit being stolen such as tractor GPS systems, with tens of thousands of pounds worth of equipment being taken in a single night," she warned. "The latest breed of criminal is using a range of tactics, often staking out farms by day to return late at night and smash into tractor cabs under the cover of darkness. The damage and disruption to agricultural activities is causing huge anxiety in the farming community and we are working with police and manufacturers to make it harder for criminals to steal from our farms and villages.”

Speaking from NFU Mutual Risk Management Services, Andy Manson noted: “Thieves will strike at any time of year, but we do find they change their tactics as the nights draw in, targeting vulnerable outbuildings and taking advantage of bad weather when people are less likely to carry out their usual checks.

“We advise farmers to look at their farm through the eyes of a thief and start with the yard and entrance. Hinge-capped gates which can’t be lifted off and good quality chains and padlocks are the first step in securing the property. Address what you have on display in the yard and don’t give away any hints to would-be thieves of what might be inside. Also target-harden your valuable objects, this might involve creating a security cage for high-value items including tools and quads," he advised.

“It’s particularly important at this time of year to ramp up detectable measures, this can be anything from intruder alarms and security lighting to CCTV, which is a fantastic deterrent. Farmers are embracing a range of new technology involving infrared beams that relay live footage to mobile phones and set off voice warning systems.”

  • In the UK, clocks should be set back one hour at 2am this Sunday, October 25.