Cost of farm theft falls as countryside unites

• Organised gangs targeting farmers

• Positive action brings good results

• Still work to stem serious offences

Farm theft has fallen by 16.5% following co-ordinated action against organised and serious crime in the countryside, new figures from NFU Mutual reveal.

Theft of agricultural machinery, equipment and vehicles cost the UK an estimated £44.1m in 2024, down from £52.8m the previous year, according to the latest annual report from the rural insurer.

Total claims cost for agricultural vehicle thefts fell 35% to an estimated £7m last year, with global positioning system (GPS) units experiencing the largest cost decline, down 71% to £1.2m following their spike in 2023.

Prime targets

Quad bikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) remained top targets for thieves, despite falling 16% to an estimated £2.7m. The ride-on vehicles are lightweight to transport, making them easy pickings for thieves.

Livestock theft remained high in 2024 at an estimated cost of £3.4m across the UK. A crime that dates back centuries, it has followed the wider trend in rural crime, becoming highly organised and often involving 50 or more sheep taken in a single raid.

These incidents have a devastating impact on farming businesses and animal welfare. Livestock worth an estimated £1.8m were severely injured or killed in dog attacks in 2024, down by more than a quarter compared to the previous year.

NFU Mutual rural affairs specialist Hannah Binns said rural crime was becoming increasingly organised, serious and persistent in nature. “Sadly, we saw that trend continue in 2024,” she added.

United approach

There was some good news though. “Although we must stay alert, it’s encouraging to see that the estimated UK cost of rural crime dropped 17% to £44.1m as we continue to collaborate with industry and law enforcement to tackle this urgent issue.”

There was always work to be done when it comes to rural crime, said Ms Binns. Last year NFU Mutual funded the UK’s first livestock theft officer within the unit until at least 2027/28 to tackle this upsetting crime.

“United, we can confront rural crime with strength,” said Ms Binns.

“Co-ordinated efforts from insurers, farmers, manufacturers, police, industry and law makers are crucial in delivering a unified response to the rural crime challenge posed by organised criminals and opportunistic thieves.”

Dedicated team

For over 20 years NFU Mutual has campaigned on the scourge of rural crime, and the far-reaching impact it has on affected communities, and is proud to be a major funder of the National Rural Crime Unit (NRCU).

Working hand-in-hand with the crime unit, NFU Mutual operates a dedicated team which shares claims data and insight, helps to identify areas at risk and finds theft patterns to assist recoveries.

This kind of collaboration saw the National Construction and Agri Theft Team, which sits under the NRCU, seize £4.4m worth of stolen agricultural vehicles and machinery in 2024, said Ms Binns.

To help farmers and rural communities protect their livelihoods from the threat posed by organised crime, NFU Mutual had invested over £400,000 in rural crime fighting initiatives during 2024.