‘Agri-crime’ dips but rural thieves still take £780,000 from Devon & Cornwall countryside

New figures from leading rural insurer NFU Mutual reveal rural crime in the South West totalled an estimated £780,000 in 2012, while the UK-wide cost of ‘agri-crime’ fell by 20% to an estimated £42.3 million (£52.7m in 2011).

The figures, based on claims data, have been released to coincide with the publication of the annual NFU Mutual Rural Crime Survey. Unlike other crime reports, the insurer’s includes claims for crimes against homes, farms, commercial premises and vehicles.

Machinery tops the thieves’ wish list in the Devon and Cornwall while tools and quad bikes have also proved popular targets for criminals in the area. Statistics from the survey also suggested the majority of rural crime is planned rather than opportunist.

Simon Whattler, NFU Mutual Agent in Halwill, Devon, said: “As a mutual organisation owned by, and run for, our members we have a responsibility to work with country people to improve security and tackle crime.

“Even though rural crime has fallen, much more still needs to be done to thwart rural criminals and minimise the devastating impact of crime in the countryside.

“We’re starting to see the benefits from communities working hard with the police and wider industry. However, people shouldn’t become complacent; they need to make security a priority on their farms, businesses and homes.”

Driving the national reduction in rural crime was a significant fall in claim costs for tractor and quad bike thefts (down 32% and 17% respectively), which accounted for more than one third of all thefts by value. In contrast 2012 saw a slight increase in cost levels for livestock theft.

Thefts of garden furniture, ornaments and stone have been identified within the survey as emerging trends over the last twelve months. NFU Mutual believes some thefts in particular are likely to be repeated as the criminals return within weeks to plunder the replacements.

The results of the survey also indicate that prevention is better than cure, with branches believing high-tech security measures like CCTV and tracker devices, as well as more traditional, physical security measures such as locks are more effective than a greater police presence or tougher sentencing for criminals.

Some of the more unusual defence mechanisms used by NFU Mutual members include keeping geese to alert homeowners of trespassers, housing louder and more aggressive animals such as llamas in with other livestock, or installing fog machines to disorientate intruders and retractable cattle grids to keep uninvited vehicles out.

For more information visit: www.nfumutual.co.uk/ruralcrime