Rural crime claims rise as thieves ‘become more determined’

The value of claims submitted to NFU Mutual increased by 137%, reaching an estimated £4.2m in 2023, as thieves in rural areas became more organised and determined.

According to new figures from the specialist agricultural mutual insurer, rural crime cost the UK an estimated £52.8m in 2023, up from £50.6m the previous year.

Much of this claims value was made up by the theft of expensive global positioning system (GPS) units used to guide tractors and combine harvesters, which were targeted by gangs throughout 2023.

This equipment, which can cost over £10,000 a unit, can leave farmers and agricultural workers facing severe delays when stolen.

Meanwhile, the data also showed that quad bikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) were at the top of the list for rural thieves, with thefts of these vehicles up 9% to reach an estimated £3.2m in claims cost across 2023.

NFU Mutal explained that inflation in 2023 made farming equipment an attractive target for organised gangs and meant each theft cost the rural community more than in previous years.

Hannah Binns, rural affairs specialist at NFU Mutual, said: “All the indications suggest rural crime is becoming more organised, sophisticated and determined in its nature, which is incredibly alarming for people who live and work in the countryside.

“Intelligence highlights these criminals often target several farms in one night before moving locations, then return weeks later looking to steal any replacements.”

Positive signs

However, in a positive sign of the coordinated action against thieves, the total claims cost for agricultural vehicles thefts reported to NFU Mutual fell 9% to an estimated £10.7m in 2023.

In collaboration with the National Rural Crime Unit (NCRU), founded in April 2023 and staffed by police, NFU Mutal has a team which shares claims data and insight, helping to identify areas at risk and find theft patterns to assist recoveries.

In turn, this resulted in the National Construction and Agri Theft Team, which sits under the NRCU, seizing £3.1m worth of stolen vehicles and machinery in 2023.

Binns said: “While the overall cost of agricultural vehicle theft fell, thanks to coordinated efforts, it is concerning to see the value of GPS and ATV thefts continue to rise, with thieves turning to technology to scope out locations.

“That is why it’s so important for insurers, farmers, manufacturers, police and politicians to continue to work together to provide a united response to the challenge presented by both organised criminals and opportunistic thieves.

“We will also continue to support farmers directly to help protect their livelihoods, offer expertise as the main insurer of farmers and provide advice to tackle rural crime.”