Farm shops count losses as rural crime reaches new highs

According to NFU Mutual, more than two-thirds of rural retailers (67%) have suffered from crime in the past 12 months. 

Mr Lacey, who helps manage and run Laceys Farm Shop in Buckinghamshire, is one of them. 

Mr Lacey said: “It’s a working family farm with my dad, uncle, brother and I. 

“I joined the business in 2010, and the ambition was always to open a farm shop. We run the farm, alongside the farm shop business. 

“It’s a different challenge to farming. When it goes well, it’s great – but as with any business, there are challenges.” 

The worst happened in April last year, when the farm shop was broken into overnight by thieves, smashing windows, stealing the cash drawers, and damaging CCTV, tills and computers. 

READ MORE: VIDEO: Farm shop worker hit by shoplifter’s car during escape

‘It’s all on your land, your home and your livelihood’

New research from NFU Mutual highlights the scale of the issue at hand. Of those surveyed, more than two-thirds of rural retailers suffered from retail crime in the last 12 months alone – and half of those said they had been hit more than three times in that time. 

“They knew what they were doing,” said Mr Lacey. “They went in, smashed the window and got what they wanted. They knew what they were looking for, they had a plan and did it very quickly and precisely. 

“It left us feeling extremely frustrated, and you feel vulnerable, as it’s all on your land, your home and your livelihood. The yard is locked, the shop is locked, and security was in place – there was not much more we could do, so it’s incredibly frustrating.” 

The 37-year-old said they have since upgraded the CCTV system, have alarms in place and have made a change to the gateway entrance.  

Those tweaks tally with the theme across the UK, as NFU Mutual’s research shows that more than half of those working in rural retail (53%) have taken security measures to protect themselves in the last 12 months.  

That includes a variety of protection, with CCTV, security tagging, sensors, alarms, physical security and bodycams all used. 

These preventative measures come as almost three quarters (73%) of rural retailers surveyed say they believe crime has increased over the last 12 months, prompting a warning from insurer NFU Mutual for farm shops to take steps as best they can to deter criminals. 

‘Stay vigilant to protect your stock, staff and premises’

Zoe Knight, head of Commercial at NFU Mutual, said: “Our research shows a worrying number of rural retailers are unfortunately falling victim to crime, and we would urge farm shop owners to stay vigilant to protect their stock, staff and premises. 

“We have seen businesses make huge efforts to feel protected from crime, with both technological and physical security put in place – while we work closely with our risk management specialists to try and reduce the threat of other shops becoming victims. 

“Farm shops have sadly been targeted in the past due to their remote locations, so it’s vital owners take all necessary and appropriate preventative steps to try and deter thieves.” 

READ MORE: People living in countryside consider moving in response to rise in rural crime

READ MORE: Five men arrested thanks to vigilant farmer 

Protect your business against shoplifting and break-ins:

NFU Mutual Risk Management Services Limited have shared advice for retailers to protect against shoplifting:   

• Use customer service as a tool to deter thieves – greeting them lets them know they have been acknowledged and may deter them as they have been identified.  
• Make sure store layouts are organised and tidy, placing items that are high-value or which are more desirable to thieves in monitorable areas. Consider adding mirrors to the store to reduce blind spots.  
• If possible, limit the number of high-value items on display and secure remaining stock within a robust, lockable area.  
• Train staff to recognise shoplifting tactics and ensure they know how to keep themselves safe from the risk of violence.  
• Consider displaying signage in-store notifying thieves that they will be prosecuted.  
• Try to minimise cash takings and use counter caches to deposit cash during opening hours. Install a good quality compliant safe which is fixed in place and preferably kept in an alarm-protected area.  

NFU Mutual Risk Management Services Limited have also issued advice for retailers to protect against break-ins:    

• Ensure all doors and windows have good quality locks (to BS3621) which cannot be opened from the outside or from the inside without the use of a key.  
• Always keep keys to doors, windows, and safes, in a secure location. Always remove them from your premises outside of business hours and limit their distribution amongst managers or staff.   
• Consider investing in good shutters, grilles and bars on doors and windows.  
• If investing in an intruder alarm, ensure it is installed by an NSI or SSAIB approved company, compliant with EN1350-1 and provides remote signalling to an alarm receiving centre.  
• If investing in surveillance (CCTV), ensure it provides good quality images, is recorded to the cloud with links to mobiles and/or remote monitoring, and meets requirements of GDPR.  
• Be aware of cyber threats and make sure you have cyber insurance in place should the worst happen.  
• Consider hiring data protection specialists to provide ongoing security of your data.  
• Have a robust policy in place for responding to intruder alarm activations – i.e., don’t let a keyholder turn up on their own.  

Find out more about NFU Mutual’s information for retailers here.

Read more rural crime news.