51AVÊÓÆµ

Farmers 'living in fear' as rural crime bill reaches more than £50 million

NFU Mutual has released its annual crime report which found incidents had cost farm businesses £52.8m

Chris Brayford
clock • 5 min read
"It is the unnerving feeling that criminals have boldly staked out and targeted farmyards and fields, often a few feet from the family home. It is also living in fear of repeat attacks, knowing that thieves are always looking for new ways to target rural communities."
Image:

"It is the unnerving feeling that criminals have boldly staked out and targeted farmyards and fields, often a few feet from the family home. It is also living in fear of repeat attacks, knowing that thieves are always looking for new ways to target rural communities."

The cost of rural crime has increased year-on-year with farmers 'unnerved' that their homes and businesses have been targeted by 'highly organised' criminals. NFU Mutual's annual 'Rural Crime Report...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

 

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

£±Ê°¿´¡

BNG National Habitat Bank Creation & Unit

£±Ê°¿´¡

WATER ABSTRACTION LICENCES FOR SALE

£±Ê°¿´¡

More on Rural crime

Farmer loses nearly £30k in tractor scam

Farmer loses nearly £30k in tractor scam

Essex farmer Richard Bennett was forced to seek legal advice after a scam tractor advert cost him £30,000

clock 24 September 2025 • 3 min read
Worker killed on Pembrokeshire farm

Worker killed on Pembrokeshire farm

Dyfed-Powys Police is investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man on Friday September 12

clock 19 September 2025 • 1 min read
Organised crime gang jailed following multi-million pound rural crime spree

Organised crime gang jailed following multi-million pound rural crime spree

Joint police effort sees seven men sentenced for more than 25 years after multiple farm machinery thefts

clock 16 September 2025 • 2 min read