Farmers have been surveyed to find out first-hand how rural crime is affecting the custodians of the UK's land.
The survey, by NFU Mutual, showed 56% of respondents have been a victim of rural crime in the past 12 months.
It showed that 47% of responding farmers say they have been a victim of crime more than once in the past 12 months.
Thieves are targeting various items including quad bikes, tools, electric fencing equipment, fuel and fencing.
The survey shows that 30% of farmers have rated their concerns about rural crime a rating of 5/5.
Taking action
77% of those surveyed have taken steps to protect their farm against rural crime.
12% of the larger farmers the NFU Mutual surveyed (50+ hectares) haven’t taken any extra protection steps.
However, 100% of small farmers surveyed (1-5 hectares) have taken action.
Protection measures include the installation of CCTV, heavy duty gates/locks, joining a farmwatch scheme, marking tools and equipment with Smartwater, Datatag or similar and installing more lighting.
The farming industry has rallied around the government to take action on the 'blight' of rural crime hitting the UK recently.
