The National Farmers' Union (NFU) has labelled the rise in rural crime as a 'serious wake-up call' for farmers, as insurance firm NFU Mutual warns that organised criminals will continue to find new ways to target agricultural communities.
The NFU Mutual's latest data shows that rural crime costs UK farmers an estimated £43 million annually, with incidents ranging from theft and vandalism to more organised attacks.
The union has called on the Government to take decisive action to tackle the issue, citing concerns over the safety and security of rural residents.
Rural Affairs Minister Lord Benyon said the Government is 'committed to supporting farmers and rural communities' but acknowledged that more needs to be done to address the problem.
The NFU is pushing for increased funding for rural policing and better support for farmers to protect their properties and livestock.
The union's president, Minette Batters, said: 'The figures are a stark reminder of the impact of rural crime on our members and the wider rural community. We need to see a sustained effort from the Government to tackle this issue.'