‘Agri-crime’ on the rise
CRIMINALS systematically targeting farms in the North West stole an estimated £2.6m worth of tractors, vehicles, livestock and farm equipment in the last year, according to new figures.
Insurer NFU Mutual said that the cost of crime to the region’s agricultural sector is on therise, with thieves most commonly targeting power tools, quad bikes and fuel including farm diesel and heating oil.
The survey is based on the 2010 claims experience of NFU Mutual’s network of branch offices located in rural towns and villages in Cheshire, Lancashire and Cumbria.
Some 41% of branches said that farms were targeted as they were in sparse locations that are difficult to police, while 23% felt the more relaxed attitudes to security was also a factor. Most thefts also tended to occur at night.
Hedley Roberts, NFU Mutual Agent in Skelmersdale, said: “No matter what the statistics say, theft and crime in rural areas is highly organised and is a very real threat at all times of year.
“Thieves in our area won’t just target tractors, Land Rovers and farm machinery, they can also make money from stealing and selling smaller items like quad bikes and power tools that can be stolen and sold on in the blink of an eye.”
David Jones, NFU Mutual Agent in Cockermouth, said: “People should make sure their quad bikes and power tools are secured in a locked building when they’re not being used.
“Unless they’re marked and identifiable, many farm and household items can be difficult to trace but very simple for criminals to sell.”