2023 UK rural crime costs rose to £52.8m, with GPS thefts for tractors and combine harvesters surging 137% to £4.2m.

2023 saw UK rural crime costs increase to an estimated £52.8 million, according to NFU Mutual's Rural Crime Report. Thefts of GPS units for tractors and combine harvesters surged by 137% to £4.2 million, making them a top target for criminals. Quad bikes and ATVs also saw a 9% increase in thefts, resulting in an estimated £3.2 million in claim costs. Livestock theft remained high at £2.7 million, while dog attacks on farm animals increased by nearly 30% to an estimated £2.4 million. Inflation in 2023 made farming equipment an attractive target for organized crime gangs, leading to higher costs for rural communities. Despite the rise in GPS and ATV thefts, the total claims cost for agricultural vehicle thefts reported to NFU Mutual fell 9% to an estimated £10.7 million in 2023.

August 01, 2024
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