Crime gangs cost farmers across Northamptonshire £680,000 in insurance claims last year, new figures have revealed.
The insurer, NFU Mutual today, released its annual crime report, which revealed the total cost of agricultural thefts to farmers across the county during 2012.
The “top three” items targeted by thieves in Northamptonshire last year were oil and diesel, followed by power tools and then agricultural machinery.
Tractors and other heavy goods are often targeted by organised crime gangs and then shipped to the continent, where police have tracked them to Poland and other Eastern European countries.
The county figure, estimated at £680,000 between January and December 2012, comes despite a fall in the total cost of rural crime in the East Midlands.
Today’s figures reveal rural crime cost UK £42.3 million in 2012, compared to £52.7 million in 2011. Theft in the East Midlands is estimated at £4.4 million during the same period.
Agricultural machinery, tools, as well as oil and diesel top thieves’ regional wish-lists.
Grant Hattle, NFU Mutual Agent in the East Midlands, said: “As a mutual organisation owned by, and run for, our members we have a responsibility to work with country people to improve security and tackle crime.
“Even though rural crime has fallen, much more still needs to be done to thwart rural criminals and minimise the devastating impact of crime in the countryside.
“We’re starting to see the benefits from communities working hard with the police and wider industry. However, people shouldn’t become complacent, they need to make security a priority on their farms, businesses and homes.”