Rural Crime Costs UK £44.1m in 2024, Down 16.5% From 2023

Strategic Insights -

Rural crime remains a significant concern for UK farmers, with the latest report from NFU Mutual revealing that the total cost of rural crime in the UK fell to £44.1m in 2024, a 16.5% decrease from the previous year. The report highlights that quad bikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) continue to be the top targets for thieves, despite a 16% decline to an estimated £2.7m. Livestock theft remains a significant issue, with an estimated cost of £3.4m across the UK, and £1.8m in Northern Ireland. UK farm animals worth an estimated £1.8m were severely injured or killed in dog attacks in 2024, down by more than a quarter compared to the previous year.

Key Takeaways:

  • The total cost of rural crime in the UK fell to £44.1m in 2024, a 16.5% decrease from the previous year.
  • Quad bikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) remain the top targets for thieves, despite a 16% decline to an estimated £2.7m.
  • Livestock theft remains a significant issue, with an estimated cost of £3.4m across the UK, and £1.8m in Northern Ireland.
  • UK farm animals worth an estimated £1.8m were severely injured or killed in dog attacks in 2024, down by more than a quarter compared to the previous year.
  • The National Construction and Agri Theft Team, which sits under the National Rural Crime Unit (NRCU), seized £4.4m worth of stolen agricultural vehicles and machinery in 2024.
  • NFU Mutual funded the UK's first livestock theft officer within the NRCU to tackle this upsetting crime.
  • To help farmers and rural communities protect their livelihoods from the threat posed by organised crime, NFU Mutual has provided over £400,000 on rural crime fighting initiatives in 2024.
  • Figures fluctuated across the UK, with Wales seeing a cost increase, up 18% to £2.8m, while Northern Ireland and Scotland saw decreases, down 9% and 33% to £1.8m and £1.2m, respectively.
  • A survey of NFU Mutual Agents found that 92% believed rural crime was disrupting farming activities in their area and 86% knew farmers who had been repeat victims.

Statistics:

  • Estimated cost of rural crime in the UK in 2024: £44.1m
  • Decrease in estimated cost of rural crime in the UK from 2023 to 2024: 16.5%
  • Estimated cost of quad bike and ATV theft in 2024: £2.7m
  • Decrease in estimated cost of quad bike and ATV theft from 2023 to 2024: 16%
  • Estimated cost of livestock theft in the UK in 2024: £3.4m
  • Estimated cost of livestock theft in Northern Ireland in 2024: £1.8m
  • Number of UK farm animals severely injured or killed in dog attacks in 2024: £1.8m
  • Decrease in number of UK farm animals severely injured or killed in dog attacks from 2023 to 2024: over a quarter