Warwickshire severely hit by rural crime gangs who are targeting farm machinery and livestock

Warwickshire has been one of the worst hit areas in the country when it comes to rural crime.

A report by NFU Mutual concluded rural crime in Warwickshire in 2019 was the seventh most costly in the UK, and up 8.5 per cent from the year before.

Responding to the figures, Matt Western, the MP for Warwick and Leamington, said: “Rural crime is costing Warwickshire farmers and rural communities dearly, and that cost is rising.

"I’ve been working closely with the police and the NFU to raise awareness of and tackle issues such as sheep butchery, which local farmers are increasingly facing. This led to the welcomed establishment of a rural crime unit within Warwickshire Police who are doing great work, but more must be done.

“I’ve been urging the Government to step in – they promised to meet with me last year to discuss what can be done, but they never did. I’ll keep on lobbying for more investment in rural policing to ensure our farmers can get on with doing their important jobs without the fear of crime.”

Across the UK, rural crime cost £54m in 2019, an increase of almost 9 per cent on the previous year.

The rise is being driven by organised criminal gangs targeting high value tractors, quad bikes and large numbers of livestock.

While there have been some reductions in crime under lockdown, there are concerns that rural theft is set to escalate as the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic bites.

In 2019, rural crime rose in every region and nation within the UK.

The biggest percentage increase was seen in Scotland (44.1 per cent), although its rural crime cost remains below the UK average.

For the second year running, the sharp rises are being driven by organised criminal gangs targeting high-value tractors, quad bikes and other farm vehicles – accounting for an increase of nearly 25 per cent to £9.3m on agricultural vehicles in the UK.

Livestock theft also increased in 2019 with the UK cost going up 9 per cent to £3m.

Rebecca Davidson, rural affairs specialist at Warwickshire-based NFU Mutual, said: “Rural crime is like a wave as organised criminality spreads through our villages, farms and rural towns, affecting everyone in the countryside.

“There’s no doubt that organised criminal gangs are targeting our countryside again and these figures would be much higher if it weren’t for the specialist rural crime team at Warwickshire Police who have been making successful recoveries of stolen vehicles and machinery, and improved farm security measures such as trackers for tractors and quads.”

"We continue to work hard to stem the tide and are warning rural communities and helping with prevention advice, as there are concerns for the months ahead as the economic impact of coronavirus bites.

“As well as the financial cost, there’s a serious effect on the mental well-being of people living in rural and often isolated areas.

"There are fears that the impact will be felt harder this year as farmers have been working flat-out to feed the nation and many rural communities have been put under additional pressure by the challenges brought by COVID-19.”

This year NFU Mutual invested £430,000 to tackle rural crime, including a police UK-wide agricultural vehicle crime tracking and recovery unit. The National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS) co-ordinates farm machinery theft intelligence between NFU Mutual, police forces, Border Force and Interpol. The insurer has also provided funding for the welfare and shelter of stolen farm animals as police investigate and track down their owners.