A NEW wave of rural crime is hitting the Midlands with costs increasing from £6.7 million in 2016, writes Ramla Soni.
The figures form part of NFU Mutual’s annual Rural Crime Report, published on August 10, reveal that the cost of rural theft has risen sharply in the first half of 2017 by almost by 30 per cent from £800,000 to £1 million.
The items most commonly targeted by thieves were all-terrain vehicles, quad bikes, and tools.
The report also reveals that being ‘staked out’ is the biggest worry for country people, followed by longer police response times in rural areas, according to the leading rural insurer. Land Rover Defender four-by-fours and livestock are also being targeted, despite increased security on farms.
