East Midlands: Cost of rural crime more than £6 million

Theft of machinery such as tractors has led to a rise in rural crime numbers in the last year

Rural crime cost the East Midlands farming industry £6.1 million in the last 12 months after a 38 per cent rise in the number of incidents being reported.

Theft of machinery, tools and ‘red’ diesel were the most common offences reported according an UK-wide survey by leading rural insurers, NFU Mutual.

The survey shows the nationwide cost of rural crime totalled an estimated £44.5 million in 2013 – a rise of 5.2 per cent as compared to a fall of 19 per cent in 2012.

“The cost of claims is increasing as a result of more high-value items being stolen. That’s why it’s important to stay vigilant and fight rural crime,” said Linzie Maycock, an NFU Mutual agent.

“Our experience with people who live and work in rural areas of the East Midlands clearly shows that theft is more than just a setback – it can be devastating for businesses and families.”