Rural theft is down in Dorset but is still costing the area hundreds of thousands of pounds every year.
A crime report by UK insurer NFU Mutual reveals that rural theft cost Dorset an estimated £348,000 last year, a fall of 28 per cent from the previous year.
However, claims indications show a rise in the national figure with rural crime costs across the UK up 22 per cent to an estimated £49.5m.
The rise comes against a background of soaring values and low supply of farm machinery worldwide. Criminal gangs have responded by establishing illicit global markets for farm machinery and technology equipment.
As a result, the UK cost of agricultural vehicle theft reported to NFU Mutual soared to £11.7m in 2022.
Matt Uren, senior agent at NFU Mutual in Dorchester, said: “While the fall in the cost of rural crime last year in Dorset is welcome, unfortunately we know from experience there is no room for complacency, as criminals continue to scour the countryside.
“This not only causes disruption to farming businesses but widespread concern to those who live and work in the countryside.
“Rural theft is changing. It is not only opportunist thieves travelling a few miles, we are now seeing internationally organised criminal activity. These gangs target high-value farm machinery and GPS kits because they can be sold all over the world.
“Loss of vital machinery and GPS equipment causes huge disruption to farmers who are already stretched to the limit and replacing kit in the current economic situation can take months, adding additional stress.”
Quad bikes and all-terrain-vehicles (ATVs) were also top targets for rural thieves. Last year, quad and ATV theft reported to NFU Mutual cost £3m nationally.
The UK cost of livestock theft rose 8.7 per cent in 2022, totalling an estimated £2.7m. Claims reported to NFU Mutual regularly involve more than 50 sheep being taken in a single raid.
Last year 21 large white pigs were stolen from a farm around Ibberton near Sturminster Newton.
NFU Mutual provided more than £400,000 in support for rural crime fighting initiatives last year.
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