In certain counties, farmers witnessed a significant surge in crime-related expenses over the past year
Data provided by NFU Mutual, the insurer, indicates a notable increase in customer claims, with Shropshire and Herefordshire experiencing more than a twofold rise. Vehicle theft emerged as a major concern in these regions.
The firm noted that organized crime was on the rise within the farming sector, causing widespread apprehension. Claims stemming from criminal activities also experienced a substantial uptick in Staffordshire, Worcestershire, and across the entire West Midlands region.
‘Makes me furious’
Alistair Heath manages a farm in Great Bolas, Shropshire, and recently fell victim to theft. In the past week, he encountered an incident where three tractors, four GPS receivers, and power tools were stolen. He expressed that this experience had taken him by surprise.
“A group of young men had forcibly entered the farm office and seized keys for all the vehicles,” he recounted.
The tractors were eventually discovered abandoned in a nearby wooded area. He further mentioned that each GPS receiver is worth nearly £10,000.
“We faced a similar incident about a year and a half ago, so we took measures to secure everything, but evidently, that wasn’t sufficient. It’s infuriating considering the immense effort we all put into our work.”
‘Opportunist thieves’
Neil Wagstaff, employed by NFU Mutual in Telford, Shropshire, commented:
“The landscape of rural theft is evolving. It’s no longer just sporadic thefts by local opportunists; we are witnessing criminal activities orchestrated on an international scale.”
He pointed out that these thefts were resulting in “significant disruptions for farmers who are already operating under tight constraints.”
In the East Midlands, customer claims with NFU Mutual declined in Derbyshire and Northamptonshire, while they saw an increase of 19.1% in Leicestershire and 12.1% in Nottinghamshire. However, notable surges in the West Midlands contributed to an overall rise in reported rural crime for the entire Midlands region, reaching £11 million in 2022 – marking the most substantial regional increase across the UK.
Rural crime in the West Midlands counties exhibited the following increases:
• A surge of 129.7% to £1.17 million in Herefordshire
• A rise of 102.7% to £2.09 million in Shropshire
• An elevation of 77% to £1.7 million in Staffordshire
• A growth of 42.2% to £1.18 million in Worcestershire
• An uptick of 8.8% to £1.2 million in Warwickshire
Based on the insurer’s compiled data, instances of theft involving GPS tracking equipment, which are essential for directing farm vehicles, grew by 15% nationwide in 2022. Theft incidents involving quad bikes and all-terrain vehicles surged by 34% in comparison to 2021. Additionally, thefts of livestock experienced an increase of 8.7% across the entire UK.
NFU Mutual has attributed the increase to the global trend of “escalating values and limited availability” of farm machinery. The insurer has stated that criminal organizations have reacted by setting up unauthorized global markets for farm machinery.
Organised criminals
Addressing the situation, West Mercia Police acknowledged the “distinct challenges” associated with policing expansive rural regions and emphasized that organized criminals are progressively enhancing their tactics.
The police force mentioned that it is employing innovative approaches to combat this issue and its rural units are collaborating closely with rural communities. To facilitate quicker information sharing, the force has established group chats, enhancing its communication efforts.
