North Yorkshire farmers speak of "battle" against rural crime

It's as a new report suggest it cost £1.6 million pounds last year

Author: Kathy GreenPublished 1st Aug 2024

Rural crime cost North Yorkshire around 1.6 million pounds last year, according to NFU Mutual.

Published today their new report reveals that rural crime cost the UK an estimated £52.8m in 2023, up from £50.6m the previous year, as thieves became more organised and determined.

Although the cost of rural crime fell in North Yorkshire, the leading rural insurer has warned that the increasing organisation and sophistication of criminals has seen thieves target high value equipment in the countryside.

Livestock theft remained high in 2023, at an estimated cost of £2.7m across the UK.

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.

Sharp rises in inflation in 2023 made farming equipment an attractive target for organised gangs and meant each theft cost the rural community more than in previous years. But a co-ordinated response against crime saw a reduction in the number of agricultural vehicle claims reported to NFU Mutual.

Thieves becoming more "organised, sophisticated and determined"

Claire Radley, Agent at NFU Mutual Skipton, said: “Although we’ve seen a fall in the cost of rural crime in North Yorkshire, all the indications suggest rural crime is becoming more organised, sophisticated and determined in its nature, which is incredibly alarming for people who live and work in the countryside.

“While the overall cost of agricultural vehicle theft fell, thanks to co-ordinated efforts, it is concerning to see the value of GPS and ATV thefts continue to rise, with thieves turning to technology to scope out locations.

“Intelligence highlights these criminals often target several farms in one night before moving locations, then return weeks later looking to steal any replacements.

A survey of NFU Mutual Agents found 91% believed thieves were more organised, with 82% percent saying they knew farmers who had been impacted by rural crime in their area.*

Shockingly, 86% of NFU Mutual Agents said rural crime was negatively impacting farmers’ mental wellbeing and 77% knew farmers who had been repeat victims.

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