Rural crime costs £1.8m

Rural crime cost Lincolnshire £1.8 million in 2014.

The figure was down from £2.2 million in 2013, but despite the fall, thieves continued to target expensive all terrain vehicles (ATVs) and tractors.

The figures are part of a UK-wide survey by NFU Mutual.

The rural insurer’s annual Rural Crime Survey shows the nationwide cost of rural crime totalled an estimated £37.8 million in 2014 – a 15 per cent reduction on last year’s figures.

The items most commonly targeted by thieves across Lincolnshire were all terrain vehicles such as quad-bikes, tools, tractors and fuels such as domestic heating oil and farmers’ supplies of “red” diesel.

Reflecting the changing nature of rural crime, in a survey of NFU Mutual’s nationwide network of branch offices, 63 per cent of those surveyed said that cybercrime is a growing problem for rural communities while recent claims data also shows thieves are taking advantage of new targets such as solar panels.

NFU Mutual Rural Affairs Specialist Tim Price said: “That there’s been an overall decline in the cost of rural crime is welcome news and reflects the huge efforts being made by communities and others to tackle this problem.

“Initiatives aimed at reducing livestock theft and installing CESAR tracking for agricultural vehicles are having a real impact and making life increasingly difficult for rural criminals.

“That said, problem areas remain and thieves continue to exploit weaknesses such as around ATVs and tools.

“So, while today’s survey contains some good news, it also highlights the need for rural communities to remain vigilant and put security at the forefront of their minds.”