International criminal gangs are increasingly targeting rural farms and causing the cost of rural crime to skyrocket, according to a warning issued by NFU Mutual, a Stratford-based insurer. The days of opportunist thieves traveling a short distance to steal a piece of farm machinery are long gone. Now, highly organized criminal gangs are setting their sights on agricultural vehicles and machinery in the countryside, resulting in millions of pounds in losses.
NFU Mutual’s latest report reveals that rural crime in Warwickshire alone cost £1.2 million in 2022, experiencing a nine percent increase from the previous year. The UK as a whole witnessed a staggering 22 percent rise in rural crime, amounting to an estimated £49.5 million. This surge is occurring against the backdrop of soaring values and limited supply of farm machinery on a global scale.
These criminal organizations have responded by establishing illicit global markets for stolen farm machinery and technology equipment. As per a survey conducted by NFU Mutual, 70 percent of their agents based in rural communities across the UK reported knowing farmers who have repeatedly fallen victim to rural crime. Furthermore, 86 percent of the respondents indicated that thieves are exploiting the limited supply and rising prices of vehicles.
The theft of GPS systems, which are vital for modern farming operations, has seen a significant increase in cost. In 2022, the UK witnessed a 15 percent rise in the cost of GPS theft, reaching £1.8 million. However, within the first four months of 2023, the cost has already doubled to over £500,000 compared to the same period last year.
Quad bikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) are also prime targets for rural thieves. In 2022, reported quad and ATV thefts cost NFU Mutual £3 million nationwide, representing a 34 percent jump from the previous year. These vehicles play a crucial role in enabling farmers to efficiently carry out their work in the fields.
Livestock theft has also been on the rise, with the cost increasing by 8.7 percent to an estimated £2.7 million in 2022. In some cases, NFU Mutual has received claims reporting the theft of over 50 sheep in a single raid. Besides the financial impact, such incidents have a devastating effect on breeding lines and cause enormous worry for farmers regarding the well-being of their stolen animals.
Mike Alder, a spokesperson for NFU Mutual, highlighted the concern caused by these highly organized criminal gangs behind the disruptions in farming communities. The nature of rural theft has evolved, and it is no longer limited to opportunist thieves operating in close proximity. Instead, internationally organized criminals are targeting high-value farm machinery and GPS kits that can be sold across the globe.
Thieves often use online technology to identify the storage locations of farm machinery and spend considerable time monitoring the movements of farming families to determine the best time to strike. Furthermore, individuals targeted by criminals may experience self-doubt following an incident and live in fear of repeat attacks on their workplace, which is often their family home as well.
The growing prevalence of international criminal gangs targeting rural farms and the resultant increase in rural crime pose significant challenges for the agricultural community. It is crucial for farmers to remain vigilant, enhance their security measures, and cooperate with law enforcement agencies to combat this evolving threat.
