Rural crime cost the South East of England £7.1m in 2024
That's according to a report from NFU Mutual
A new report has revealed rural crime cost the South East an estimated £7.1m in 2024, down 20% from 2023.
According to insurers National Farmers Union (NFU) Mutual, rural crime costs fell by 67% in Surrey, and 54.5% in West Sussex, but it increased by 51% in East Sussex.
Rural crime cost the UK an estimated £44.1m in 2024, down from £52.8m the previous year.
Quad bikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) remained top targets for thieves, despite falling 16% to an estimated £2.7m.
In the South East, thefts of ATVs cost an estimated £548,000 – which was the second highest total for a region throughout the UK.
Colin Campbell, NFU Mutual Regional Manager for the South East, said: “In recent years we’ve seen rural crime becoming increasingly organised, serious and persistent in nature, with thieves willing to pull out all the stops to get what they desire, and sadly we saw that trend continue in 2024.
“Although we must stay alert, it's encouraging to see that the South East reflected the trend as the cost of rural crime across the UK dropped 16.5% to £44.1m as we continue to collaborate with industry and law enforcement to tackle this urgent issue. But we know there is always work to be done when it comes to rural crime.
“Rural crime goes far beyond disrupting farm work and impacting food production. It has a real impact on the mental wellbeing of farmers and their families, causing severe stress and sleepless nights as the rural community lives in fear that those responsible might return.
“Co-ordinated efforts from insurers, farmers, manufacturers, police, industry and law makers are crucial in delivering a unified response to the rural crime challenge posed by organised criminals and opportunistic thieves – and we can see from our new report that this unified response can bear real dividends.
“United, we can confront rural crime with strength.”