Rural Crime News

Farm animals worth an estimated £1.8 million were killed or injured by out-of-control dogs in only one year, NFU Mutual says.

The NFU has made an urgent call for action after the latest statistics show that more than one million incidents of fly-tipping were reported across England last year.

Manor Farm, in Wotton, took to social media with evidence of a suspected arson attack that left their winter feed, bedding supply and barn ‘absolutely ruined’.

A pair of “calculated criminals” has been jailed after stealing more than £200,000 worth of farming equipment from across Yorkshire.

The cost of Land Rover Defender thefts is nearly at £2.5 million, remaining stubbornly high in 2022 after a sharp increase in 2021, NFU Mutual has warned.

Since 2019 the NFU’s petition to ban sky lanterns in the UK has gained over 100,000 signatures as more research is conducted into their potential ability to start wildfires, kill animals, destroy crops, set buildings alight, as well as littering the countryside. To date 188 councils out of 333 have banned them in England and Wales.

A leading rural insurance company has welcomed the “timely” introduction of new legislation aimed at preventing the theft of all terrain vehicles (ATVs).

With over eight out of 10 retailers experiencing crime in the past six months, farm shops are being offered security advice.

Farmers are being urged to ramp up security measures to avoid becoming victims of rural theft after the clocks go back on Sunday 29th October, as criminals use the cover of darkness to steal from the countryside.

As rural crime continues its unrelenting spread across the UK, the NFU is calling for greater protection for farmers and landowners as National Rural Crime Action Week gets underway.

Farmers in the Midlands are being advised by the police to increase vehicle security following a spate of 20 high-value tractors and telehandler thefts in Staffordshire and Shropshire over the last month. Police suspect a highly-organised criminal gang is responsible for the thefts.

Police are investigating the theft, which occurred between 3pm on 4th August and 10am on 8th August.