RURAL crime cost Northern Ireland £2.5 million last year according to new figures from NFU Mutual.
The insurer's annual rural crime report shows that the cost of rural crime is down in the north by 15 per cent from 2015 (£3 million), but early indicators for the first half of this year show a sharp rise of over 20 per cent across the UK, raising concerns that a new crime wave is hitting the countryside.
The research shows that the items most commonly targeted by thieves across Northern Ireland over the last 12 months were ATV (All Terrain Vehicles) and quad bikes, livestock and tools.
NFU Mutual regional manager for Northern Ireland Martin Malone said farmers must remain vigilant and continue to take the proper precautions to prevent thefts.
“Although the figures for rural crime in Northern Ireland are down, countryside criminals continue to become more brazen and farmers are now having to continually increase security and adopt new ways of protecting their equipment."
"In some parts of the region, 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 farm yards and even DNA markers to protect sheep from rustlers," he said.
The report further reveals that being ‘staked out’ is the biggest worry for country people, followed closely by longer police response times in rural areas. Meanwhile criminals continue to target Land Rover Defenders, quad bikes, tractors, tools 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."
“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," Mr Malone added.
