Farm Security

Rural insurer warns against complacency over rustling as it remains one of the most costly crimes for farmers.

As we get ready to enjoy a much-needed festive break, it is worth remembering to take extra care to secure your farm against thieves, who may take advantage of vulnerabilities over Christmas.

Rural crime rates are increasing all over the country and causing farmers the unwelcome stress of how they should secure vital mobile assets and secure their farm buildings.

According to security service specialists Protection and Communication Engineering Limited, the protection and security of agricultural assets is becoming increasingly important.

Rural insurer NFU Mutual is urging farmers and enthusiast owners to increase security measures as organised criminal gangs are scouring the countryside stealing iconic Land Rover Defenders.

Farmers are being urged to be vigilant to avoid becoming victims of rural theft when the clocks go back, as criminals use the cover of darkness to steal from the countryside.

The cost of rural crime is at an eight-year high, soaring to £54 million according to the latest figures from rural insurer NFU Mutual. With concerns that rural crime is set to escalate as the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic bites, high value tractors, quad bikes and livestock are at even greater risk.

Farmers are being warned to ‘pin it or pen it’ when it comes to expensive tractor GPS systems as the countryside continues to be targeted by tech-savvy criminal gangs.

As the cost of rural crime continues to rise, the NFU is urging the government to take action and treat rural crime as a priority issue for rural communities.

Leading rural insurer NFU Mutual has joined forces with police and agricultural machinery manufacturers to tackle a surge in thefts of expensive guidance systems.

Growing up on the family farm, Eddie McDiarmid started to have problems with thefts from the farm shop, and after installing security cameras, quickly realised that they would also be very useful for lambing and calving season.

The cost of rural crime is at its highest level for eight years, with organised criminal gangs targeting high value tractors, quad bikes and large numbers of livestock.