Farmers 'living in fear' as rural crime bill reaches more than £50 million

NFU Mutual has released its annual crime report which found incidents had cost farm businesses £52.8m

Chris Brayford
clock • 5 min read
"It is the unnerving feeling that criminals have boldly staked out and targeted farmyards and fields, often a few feet from the family home. It is also living in fear of repeat attacks, knowing that thieves are always looking for new ways to target rural communities."
Image:

"It is the unnerving feeling that criminals have boldly staked out and targeted farmyards and fields, often a few feet from the family home. It is also living in fear of repeat attacks, knowing that thieves are always looking for new ways to target rural communities."

The cost of rural crime has increased year-on-year with farmers 'unnerved' that their homes and businesses have been targeted by 'highly organised' criminals. NFU Mutual's annual 'Rural Crime Report...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

Login

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

 

More on Rural crime

Sheep euthanised after 'horrific' dog attack

Sheep euthanised after 'horrific' dog attack

Officers said a member of the public had to pull the dog away from the sheep in order to prevent further injury

Chris Brayford
clock 20 May 2026 • 1 min read
Fly-tipper fined £1k for blocking farmer's gate with rubbish

Fly-tipper fined £1k for blocking farmer's gate with rubbish

Wiltshire Council said the resident had made no attempt to use the household recycling centre which was open on the day the waste was dumped

Chris Brayford
clock 20 May 2026 • 2 min read
Fly-tippers 'ruining' Britain's beautiful country roads

Fly-tippers 'ruining' Britain's beautiful country roads

What is being done to protect roads in the countryside from the sorry state of fly-tipping?

Chris Brayford
clock 18 May 2026 • 4 min read