In its , published on 1 August, the insurer revealed that rural crime cost the UK an estimated 拢52.8尘 in 2023, up from 拢50.6尘 the previous year.
GPS unit thefts alone rose by a staggering 137% to an estimated 拢4.2m.
Intelligence shows thieves frequently target several farms in one night before moving locations to steal these highly valuable and portable kits, often revisiting farmyards weeks later to steal any replacements.
Increases can also be seen in quad bike, ATV and livestock thefts, while the total claims cost for agricultural vehicle theft reported to NFU Mutual decreased by 9%.
Financial and emotional impact
In response, NFU Vice President Rachel Hallos said: 鈥淎s NFU Mutual鈥檚 report highlights, rural crime has continued to plague the British countryside over the past year. Criminals steal expensive GPS equipment, livestock and high-value farm machinery, while also trespassing on private land and regularly fly-tipping tons of rubbish.
"Not only does rural crime significantly cost the UK on a national level, but it also has a significant impact personally to those farm businesses and farming families financially and emotionally affected, leaving many rural communities feeling vulnerable and intimidated.鈥�
Quad bikes and ATVs were top targets for rural thieves, with thefts up 9% to an estimated 拢3.2尘 in claim costs reported to NFU Mutual last year.
鈥�It also has a significant impact personally to those farm businesses and farming families financially and emotionally affected.鈥�
NFU Vice President Rachel Hallos
Sharp rises in inflation in 2023 made farming equipment an attractive target for organised gangs and meant each theft cost the rural community more than in previous years. But a co-ordinated response against crime saw a reduction in the number of agricultural vehicle claims reported to NFU Mutual.
Livestock theft remained high in 2023, at an estimated cost of 拢2.7m across the UK. Farm animals worth an estimated 拢2.4尘 were severely injured or killed in dog attacks across the UK in 2023, up nearly 30% compared to the previous year.
Rachel said these 鈥渁larming trends鈥� need 鈥渦rgent attention鈥� adding that the NFU welcomed the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Bill, due to be debated in the House of Lords when Parliament was dissolved prior to the election.
鈥淚t is crucial similar measures are introduced to stop this needless suffering to livestock,鈥� Rachel said.聽
鈥溁始一藈as pleased to see a new Crime and Policing Bill introduced in the King鈥檚 Speech, and we look forward to seeing the details of this Bill when published.鈥�
Equipment Theft Bill
Rachel added: 鈥淭he new government has been clear that food security is national security, and we want to see policy that now recognises that.
鈥淕iven the unprecedented rise in GPS theft, the NFU is looking forward to the new government delivering its rural crime strategy that was announced in April, starting by extending the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act to cover GPS theft from farm vehicles.鈥�
The Bill became law last year and gives the Home Secretary powers to make regulations that will deter the theft and resale of quad bikes and ATVs. One of these regulations includes requiring that any new quad bike or ATV contain immobilisers and security markings at the point of sale.
Given the unprecedented rise in GPS theft, the NFU would like to see the scope of the Bill widened in secondary legislation to include GPS theft from farm vehicles and other larger agriculture equipment.
A survey of NFU Mutual Agents found 91% believed thieves were more organised, with 82% percent saying they knew farmers who had been impacted by rural crime in their area.
Figures fluctuated across the UK, with cost rises in Scotland (up 34.9% to an estimated 拢1.8尘) and Wales (up 6.7% to an estimated 拢2.4尘) while Northern Ireland saw a decrease (down 21.3% to an estimated 拢2尘).
Worst affected counties by cost
| Region or County | Cost in 2022 | Cost in 2023 | % Change from 2022 |
| East | 拢6.6尘 | 拢7.1尘 | +8.4% |
| Midlands | 拢12.5尘 | 拢11.7尘 | -6.7% |
| North East | 拢8尘 | 拢8.6尘 | +7.3% |
| North West | 拢3.2尘 | 拢3.2尘 | +1.4% |
| Northern Ireland | 拢2.5尘 | 拢2尘 | -21.3% |
| Scotland | 拢1.4尘 | 拢1.8尘 | +34.9% |
| South East | 拢9.3尘 | 拢8.9尘 | -3.8% |
| South West | 拢5尘 | 拢7尘 | +41.9% |
| Wales | 拢2.3尘 | 拢2.4尘 | +6.7% |
| Total | 拢50.6尘 | 拢52.8尘 | +4.3% |
Estimates based on NFU Mutual claims statistics. To read the report in full, visit:
鈥楥ollaboration is key鈥�
To help farmers and rural communities protect their livelihoods from the threat posed by organised crime, NFU Mutual has provided over 拢1m since 2021 in support for initiatives to tackle rural crime.
In 2023, NFU Mutual became a major funder of the NRCU (National Rural Crime Unit).
Formally established last April, the unit is staffed by police officers with experience in detecting and preventing rural crime, with investigative powers to track and intercept stolen machinery and equipment.
Working hand-in-hand with the NRCU, 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 拢3.1m worth of stolen vehicles and machinery in 2023.
NFU Mutual has also funded the UK鈥檚 first livestock theft officer at the NRCU.
NFU Mutual Regional Manager for the North East Dave Smith, said: 鈥淎ll the indications suggest rural crime is becoming more organised, sophisticated and determined in its nature, which is incredibly alarming for people who live and work in the countryside.
鈥淎s the UK鈥檚 leading rural insurer, we know the impact of rural crime goes well beyond the practicalities of farming.
鈥淚t鈥檚 the unnerving feeling that criminals have boldly staked out and targeted farmyards and fields, often a few feet from the family home. It鈥檚 also living in fear of repeat attacks, knowing that thieves are always looking for new ways to target rural communities.鈥�
鈥�It鈥檚 the unnerving feeling that criminals have boldly staked out and targeted farmyards and fields, often a few feet from the family home.鈥�
NFU Mutual Regional Manager for the North East Dave Smith
Mr Smith said it was important for insurers, farmers, manufacturers, police and politicians to continue to work together to 鈥減rovide a united response鈥� to the challenge.
鈥淲e will also continue to support farmers directly to help protect their livelihoods, offer expertise as the main insurer of farmers and provide advice to tackle rural crime,鈥� he added.
NFU Vice President Rachel Hallos agreed 鈥渃ollaboration is key to tackling rural crime effectively鈥�.
鈥淩ural crime is very different from urban crime with the scale, cost and social impact underestimated, under-reported and not fully understood.鈥�
Rachel said the NRCU is 鈥渁 great example of farmers, policymakers, and the Police and Crime Commissioners working together at both national and local levels to protect UK farming businesses from criminal gangs.鈥�
