The cost of rural crime in Dorset rose by more than 10 per cent last year, according to the National Farmers' Union.

With thieves chiefly targeting tools, garden equipment and quad bikes, rural crime cost the county £605,000 in 2016, compared with £550,000 the year before, the NFU Mutual annual Rural Crime Report claims.

The report is based on national crime statistics.

And the report also shows a sharp spike in such offences during the first half of 2017.

Simon Godding, the NFU Mutual Agent in Wareham, said: "Rural crime in Dorset has been on the rise during the last 12 months, as countryside criminals are becoming more brazen and farmers are now having to continually increase security and adopt new ways of protecting their equipment.

"In some parts of the county, farmers are having to turn their farmyards into fortresses to protect themselves from repeated thieves who are targeting quads, tractors and power tools.

"They are using tracking devices on tractors, video and infra-red surveillance in their farmyards and even DNA markers to protect sheep from rustlers."

The report says theft claims statistics show a rise of 20 per cent nationally, raising concerns that a new wave of rural crime is hitting the countryside.

To help raise awareness, NFU Mutual recently sponsored Dorset Police’s ‘Robocrop’ tractor, which is touring rural shows and events through the summer.

The report reveals that being ‘staked out’ is the biggest worry for country people, followed closely by longer police response times in rural areas.

Criminals continue to target Land Rover Defenders, tractors, equine supplies and livestock despite increased security on farms.

"The threat of becoming a victim of rural crime, and regular reports of suspicious characters watching farms is causing high levels of anxiety amongst farmers who know their rural location makes them vulnerable to attacks," added Mr Godding.

"Our advice to people living and working in the countryside is to regularly evaluate your current security measures making improvements where necessary, remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the local police and local farm watch schemes."

For more information and advice on how to beat rural crime download the report at nfumutual.co.uk/ruralcrime

'We're at a complete loss'

A family who run farm in Dorset were the target of rural crime this year and have said they are "at a complete loss" as to how they are now going to run their farm. 

They highlighted the importance of security as they recalled when their tractor was stolen by thieves. 

A family member, who wanted to remain anonymous, said: “We have been farming cows and sheep in Dorset for 25 years, which is almost impossible to do so without a tractor.

“In February this year, our son-in-law was out on the farm doing the morning feed as usual, when he realised the tractor was not in the barn. We originally thought it must have been parked somewhere else but then realised that would have been impossible as we only ever park it in the barn. 

"As there was no broken glass or any evidence of forced entry, we believe the thieves must have had a tractor key cut so they could steal it. They had then broken the lock on the gate and driven it off down onto the open road.

“The fact that our tractor was stolen from right under our noses made us incredibly angry as well as nervous that our personal space has been violated. They had clearly been watching us beforehand as they knew which gate would be easier to steal from. 

“Following the theft, we were at a complete loss as to how we were going to run the farm. Without a tractor, there was no way of feeding or bedding the animals. Fortunately, we have an incredible farming community here in Dorset and within hours a few of our neighbours rallied round and offered to help us until we could hire a replacement tractor. 

“Since the theft in February, we have increased security on the farm and definitely would recommend every farmer reassess the strength of their security. It’s important to know you’ve done everything humanly possible to deter crime in rural areas.”