Rural crime in NI costs £2.5m
NFU Mutual says that is a 51% jump since 2021
Rural crime cost Northern Ireland £2.5m last year, according to the National Farmers Union Mutual.
The NFU’s latest figures show that is a hike of 51% from 2021.
That’s compared to the UK-wide cost of rural crime which shot up 22% in 2022 as organised criminal gangs laid siege to the countryside.
The Union said criminals are targeting vehicles and machinery, Quad bikes and all-terrain-vehicles, livestock, oil, and fuel.
The increase comes against a background of soaring values and low supply of farm machinery worldwide.
The NFU claims criminal gangs have responded by establishing illicit global markets for farm machinery and technology equipment.
As a result, the UK cost of agricultural vehicle theft reported to NFU Mutual soared by 29% to £11.7m in 2022.
A survey of NFU Mutual Agents, who are based in rural communities across the UK, found 70% knew farmers who had been repeat victims of rural crime.
Mervyn, a part-time County Antrim farmer, has had several silage bales stolen on three occasions.
He said: “I have been caught out myself. You have to go to a lot more expense: Chains and locks.
"I had to put camera up and all these deterrents they’re necessary, but they are an extra expense.”
Mervyn thinks the situation as “rife” in NI and in other parts of the UK.
He added “Farmers now have to keep all their machinery in sheds, you’ve got to keep everything under lock and key.
“You scrimp and save and buy things and you make your crops, and you don’t expect things to disappear.
“In years gone by people left their doors open, but we are living in changed times.”
The new figures published today (Tuesday) show the UK cost of GPS theft increased by 15% to £1.8m in 2022.
However, the problem has sharply escalated in the first four months of 2023, with the cost of GPS theft doubling to over £500,000 compared to the same period last year.
The sophisticated equipment, typically costing over £10,000, is used to guide tractors and combine harvesters. Without it, farmers face severe delays and disruption to harvesting and cultivating work, with long waits for replacement kit.
Martin Malone NFU Mutual Manager for NI said: “Highly organised gangs are causing disruption to farming and widespread concern to people who live and work in the countryside.
“Rural theft is changing. It is not only opportunist thieves travelling a few miles, we are now seeing internationally organised criminal activity. These gangs target high-value farm machinery and GPS kits because they can be sold all over the world.
“Many items are stolen ‘to order’ by thieves using online technology to identify where farm machinery is stored and scope out the best way to steal it. They will also spend hours watching the movement of farming families to work out the best time to attack.
“Loss of vital machinery and GPS equipment causes huge disruption to farmers who are already stretched to the limit and replacing kit in the current economic situation can take months, adding additional stress.
“Those targeted by criminals may often second guess themselves in the aftermath of an incident as well as live in fear of repeat attacks on what is not only their workplace, but also their family home.
“That’s why we are collaborating with farmers to help protect their livelihoods, sharing our advice and expertise as the main insurer of farmers and providing support to tackle rural crime.”
Ulster Farmers’ Union deputy president William Irvine said: “The cost-of-living crisis and the delay in replacing equipment is making it even harder for farm families to recover from these theft incidents.
“Unfortunately, earlier in the summer, NI was a victim of a new type of rural crime as numerous farm businesses fell victim to GPS thefts.
“Criminals are active in our community and we as farmers need to be vigilant and take the security of our businesses and homes seriously to deter criminals. I urge farmers to record details of all farm machinery, take photographs and consider investing in tracking systems. Rural crime initiatives such as trailer marking, and the freeze branding of livestock are also there for farmers to avail of.”
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