Herefordshire and Worcestershire farmers warned of new rural crime threats to their farms
An NFU Mutual report revealed that rural crime cost the UK an estimated £52.8m in 2023
Farmers across Herefordshire and Worcestershire are being warned of new threats that are facing them through rural crime.
A report released earlier this month from insurance group NFU Mutual revealed despite rural crime cost dropping in the Midlands in 2023 by 6.7% compared to 2022, it was still worth an estimated £11.7m.
The total cost of rural crime across the UK rose above £50m in 2023 to an estimated £52.8m, with Global Positioning System (GPS) units being one of the most targeted items with a 137% increase, costing £4.2m.
Martin Williams is the chairman of the National Farmers Union (NFU) for Herefordshire, and he says it can leave farmers feeling vulnerable when something is stolen.
He said: "I've been a victim of rural crime once, and it's just disruptive.
"It's never nice to have someone poking around or looking for things on your farm or on your property, whoever you might be, so when it happens to you, you almost feel you've had your space invaded.
"When you hear a story of successful capture and release of items like strimmers and chainsaws, it's nice, and hopefully the more success stories there is the less inclined they'll be to do it and take items."
The report also revealed farm animals worth an estimated £2.4m were severely injured or killed in dog attacks across the UK in 2023, up nearly 30% compared to the previous year.