Rural crime last year cost Cumbria more than £450,000, according to figures released today.

Despite seeing a fall of 25.2 per cent from £614,387 in 2016, an annual Rural Crime Report from NFU Mutual, reveals problems still persist in the county.

The items most commonly targeted by thieves across Cumbria over the last 12 months were quad bikes and ATVs (all-terrain vehicles), tools and livestock.

Nationally, statistics show rural theft costs rose 13.4 per cent in 2017. The figures are more stark for the north west: it cost businesses £2.8m in 2016 and £3.4m last year, a rise of 21.6 percent.

Ian Mandle, NFU Mutual agent based in Carlisle, said countryside criminals were continuing to become more organised in their approach.

"Farmers are now having to continually increase security and adopt new ways of protecting their equipment.

“Social media is fast becoming the new eyes and ears of the countryside. By keeping in close touch with neighbours and police through local Farmwatch schemes country people can play a significant role in identifying suspicious activity and bringing thieves to justice," said Mr Mandle.

He advised farmers and landowners fitting gates to prevent easy access to farmyards and drives was one of the most effective security measures.

"High-tech security such as movement detectors, infra-red cameras and ‘geo-fencing’, which triggers an alarm if a farm vehicle moves off the premises, can also play a part.”

The report further reveals that limited police resources and repeat attacks are the biggest fears for people in rural communities, with many forced to change the way they live and work as a result of rural crime.

Mr Mandle said, “The threat of becoming a victim of rural crime, and regular reports of suspicious characters watching farms is causing high levels of anxiety amongst farmers who know their rural location makes them vulnerable to attacks.

“Our advice to people living and working in the countryside is to regularly evaluate your current security measures making improvements where necessary, remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the local police and local farm watch schemes.”

As the main insurer of the countryside, NFU Mutual has responded to its members’ concerns about rural crime by supporting local and national rural security initiatives and investing more than £1.2m to tackle the menace of rural crime.

For more information and advice on how to beat rural crime in your area download the report at www.nfumutual.co.uk/ruralcrime