Cost of rural crime almost triples, insurers say

The cost of rural crime has almost tripled year-on-year in Somerset, according to the latest figures from insurers.

A report by NFU Mutual looking back at 2024 showed the value of rural thefts increased by 168.7% in the county, jumping from £801,000 in 2023 to more than £2.1m.

In comparison, Gloucestershire saw an increase of 20%, while the total cost in Wiltshire decreased by 21.4% in the same time period.

Roz Hills, from NFU Mutual, said rural crime had "a real impact on the mental wellbeing of farmers and their families, causing severe stress and sleepless nights".

But despite some rises on a county-level, figures from across the south-west of England saw insurance claims drop by an average of 4% year-on-year, to an estimated £6.7m.

Ms Hills 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 the south-west reflected the national trend, as the cost of rural crime across the UK dropped 16.5% to £44.1m."

Avon and Somerset Police urged landowners and members of the rural community to "remain vigilant" by securing outbuildings, storing keys in secure locations, marking livestock and installing CCTV.

"We understand that the loss of such equipment and criminal damage to farms can be incredibly damaging to the livelihoods of hard-working members of our rural community, and we take matters of this nature seriously.

"Where there are viable lines of enquiry, we will make every effort to track the stolen equipment, reunite it with its rightful owner and seek to bring criminals to justice," a spokesperson for the force added.

Ms Hills added that a "unified" response from insurers, farmers, manufacturers, police, industry and law-makers was "crucial" to tackling rural crime.

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