Theft in the countryside soars by 40%

RURAL crime has shot up by 40 per cent amid the cost of living crisis, with vehicles such as Land Rover Defenders top targets for thieves.

After two years of falling crime during the pandemic, the cost of rural theft has rocketed to £40.5million a year.

A report from insurer NFU Mutual found that costs for the first quarter of this year were 40 per cent higher than the same period last year.

And the soaring value of secondhand cars and replacement parts has led to an 87 per cent rise in claims for Land Rover thefts to £2.6million a year as criminals steal the vehicles and strip them down.

High-value farm machinery remained a target, with £9.1million of claims last year.

Rustling has also risen, with an estimated £2.4million worth of farm animals stolen last year.

Rebecca Davidson of NFU Mutual said: ‘Crime in the countryside causes high levels of anxiety and disruption, with many farmers and rural home owners feeling vulnerable.’