Rural crime levels are rising: how can you reduce the risk of being targeted?
The problem of UK rural crime continues to grow. At the start of August, insurer NFU Mutual’s Rural Crime Report 2024 revealed that the cost of this type of crime in 2023 exceeded £50m. The report paints a mixed picture, but the core message is that rural crime levels and associated costs continue to climb. Costs are estimated to have increased to around £52.8m, a 4.3% increase from 2022’s figure of £50.6m.
One of the headline statistics is that thefts of GPS units have gone up significantly, with costs increasing by 137% to an estimated £4.2m. Theft levels of quad bikes and all terrain vehicles rose, with associated costs increasing by 9% to around £3.2m. There was some positive news however with the total cost of agricultural vehicle theft falling by around 9% – although still costing £10.7m. Livestock thefts remain at similar levels to last year, costing around £2.7m.
Rural crime isn’t only limited to theft of course. It also includes other crimes like fly tipping, vandalism and arson – all of which can be disruptive, expensive to sort out and very distressing to deal with.
The mental toll of rural crime
Indications are that over the past few years rural crime has become far more intentional and carefully planned. 82% of NFU Mutual agents knew farmers within their area who’d been affected by rural crime and 91% of agents said they believed thieves are now significantly more organised.
The report refers to the fact that many criminals are visiting rural locations first, then returning later to carry out their intended crime. They often target several farms in one night across a location before moving onto their next area. And it’s not unheard of for them to go back to the scenes of crimes to specifically try to steal the replacements of the items they’ve taken previously (particularly GPS units).
It’s not surprising then that the threat of rural crime is taking its toll on farmers’ mental wellbeing. It’s a livelihood that’s becoming increasingly challenging for several reasons (including climate change and isolation). Inevitably, worries over becoming a target of crime ramps up the pressure even more.
So what can be done to reduce the risk of rural crime?
The fightback against rural crime continues, including the recent creation of the National Rural Crime Unit. The unit is run by police officers with specific experience in tackling this kind of crime both through prevention and detection. It’s facilitating intelligence-sharing across police forces, using data analysis to identify areas particularly at risk, and theft pattern data to help recover items or livestock that’s been stolen.
When it comes to reducing the risk of being targeted, the Rural Crime Report suggests addressing it in three ways: via social, physical and technical measures. Here are some potential ways you might be able to further tighten security at your rural premises.
Social measures
These include the use of messaging app groups to share information, as well as highlighting concerns to police or reporting anonymously through Crimestoppers. You might also find regional rural watch groups (such as Farm Watch and Rural Watch) are valuable networks for information sharing and for alerting others to suspicious behaviour and criminal activity in the local area.
Physical measures
Physical measures include steps like marking your livestock and property and noting serial/ chassis numbers where applicable.
The harder it is for a criminal to take an item, the longer it will take them which in turn increases the chances of them being caught. So don’t overlook simple but effective precautions like locking your gates, buildings and outbuildings, keeping keys out of sight and in a secure place, and ideally locking vehicles and high value items away if possible. Make full use of immobilisers too.
Electric fencing could be another option to consider, although this must comply with a number of requirements including having very clear signage to make sure people know the fence is electrified.
Technical measures
There are also several technical solutions you could consider. You could improve surveillance of your property by installing a CCTV system and using security lighting to illuminate any darker areas. You could also consider installing intruder alarms to protect your buildings. Alarms and CCTV systems are both effective deterrents. But if a criminal isn’t put off, these systems can immediately alert you and/or the emergency services to an attempt to break into your buildings or to take your property or livestock.
CCTV recordings will provide valuable information after a crime has been committed too, increasing the chances of the criminal being caught, prosecuted and your property returned.
Are you concerned about keeping your rural premises secure?
If you would like some professional advice about increasing security at your rural premises through the use of solutions including CCTV systems and intruder alarms, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
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