- The cost of rural theft in Wales fell 39% in 2020 as COVID-19 and rural policing kept thieves out of the countryside
- NFU Mutual working to protect farmers from thieves returning with new tactics - as agricultural vehicles and tools remain prized targets
- Other crimes such as dog attacks on farm animals and fly-tipping soar as pet ownership and countryside visits increase
- NFU Mutual provides £430,000 support this year to fight return of rural raiders
In its Rural Crime Report, published today (Tuesday 3 August), NFU Mutual reveals that rural theft cost the whole of the UK an estimated £43.3m in 2020, a fall of 20.3% on the previous year, making it the lowest annual cost recorded in five years.
Wales saw the biggest percentage fall in the UK (-39% to £1.6m), followed by Northern Ireland (-37% to £2.1m) and Scotland (-25% to £1.7m); in England, which records much higher levels of rural crime, costs also fell significantly (-18% to £37.9m).
However, criminals continued to target farms in Wales over the pandemic, stealing quads, trailers, tools and livestock, and every crime had an impact on farmers and rural communities.
Other rural crimes, including dog attacks on livestock and fly-tipping rose sharply in 2020. NFU Mutual claims data shows the cost of dog attacks on sheep and cattle continued to worsen this year with a UK rise of 50% in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period last year.
Fly-tipping in fields, gateways and country lanes blighted the countryside as waste recycling centres restricted access, leaving farmers to deal with the clean-up and risks to their health and that of their livestock and the environment.
Owen Suckley, NFU Mutual Manager for Wales, said: “Coronavirus restrictions, dedicated rural policing and innovative security on farms provided a welcome fall in rural thefts last year.
“While lockdown may have locked some criminals out of the countryside – rural crime hasn’t gone away. Thieves are now returning armed with new tactics and targets. As the economic impact of the pandemic bites, we are very concerned that rural theft may escalate significantly.
“There’s no doubt that when we work together with police, farmers, communities and other rural organisations to tackle rural crime it can make a real difference. That’s why we’re investing over £430,000 in carefully targeted rural security schemes this year.
“We believe this is vital support because rural crime isn’t just about money to replace stolen tractors. It causes disruption, seriously affects farmers’ mental well-being and destroys the trust which enables rural communities to flourish.”
Rob Taylor, Rural & Wildlife Crime Coordinator for Wales, said: “The pandemic has played a part in the fall of rural crime in Wales in 2020, but we also acknowledge the significant contribution of our rural officers throughout Wales who work tirelessly to make the difference in our countryside.
“Livestock attacks by dogs continues to be an issue but our work to update the antiquated law through parliament will hopefully deliver the decrease we expect and support responsible dog ownership. Wales continues to take a proactive partnership approach to rural crime prevention and the appointment of the new Wales Rural Crime Coordinator will assist us to enhance that for the future”
Owen Suckley added: “With more and more people using the countryside, we are urging the public to support farmers and rural communities by reporting suspicious sightings and crimes to the police. Our farmers have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic keeping the nation fed and caring for the countryside and by working together, we can help stem the tide when the criminals become more active again.”
For more information on rural crime trends and advice, download the report at www.nfumutual.co.uk/ruralcrime.