Rise in rural crime costs a 'serious wake-up call' for farmers - union

Louise Cullen - Agriculture and environment correspondent, BBC News NISat, May 30, 2026 at 5:13 AM UTC

0

NFU Mutual said the rise in livestock theft was "alarming"

Figures that show the estimated cost of rural crime in Northern Ireland rose to £2.2m in 2025 should "serve as a serious wake-up call" for farmers, their union has said.

The Ulster Farmers' Union President, John McClenaghan, said crime was putting already stretched farms "under further strain".

Research by farming insurance firm NFU Mutual found that the estimated cost of rural crime in Northern Ireland went up by almost a quarter last year, with only Scotland (21%) and North East of England (7%) the other places to show any increase.

McClenaghan said farmers should report every incident, no matter how minor.

"The PSNI can only allocate resources based on demand, and this can only be done when the true extent of the problem is reflected through accurate and timely reporting."

He added that farms were already operating under financial pressure and that the "additional burden created by theft, vandalism and other criminal activity" was a further threat to their long-term futures.

He said the rise in crime was causing "immediate and severe" financial impact and "undermining confidence".

NFU Mutual's regional manager Lauren Finlay said local farmers were "nervous", with rural crime "more organised and determined in its nature".

She called for a "collaborative approach" to the problem.

There was a large rise in the number of quad bikes stolenWhat does the research into rural crime say?

NFU Mutual's research, which is based on claims made to the company, found that across the UK the estimated costs associated with rural crime have fallen to £41.5m in 2025 from £44.1m in 2024.

Among its findings were that there was a large rise in the number of quad bikes being stolen, particularly in Northern Ireland, while the theft of global positioning system (GPS) units fell by 80% across the UK.

That followed a focus on the issue by law enforcement and the agricultural industry.

It also said livestock crime has become "highly organised".

Advertisement

Finlay said the theft of animals can take a particular toll on farmers.

"It's really hard potentially to replace some of the bloodlines and some of the attachment that is linked to those animals.

"There is the mental impact and I think when family farms feel targeted, they feel apprehensive, they feel nervousness, that potentially they're being stalked, they're being watched.

"And that's a really uncomfortable place to be, considering that your workplace is your home."

She said a large proportion of farmers feel they're being targeted "repeatedly", adding to the pressure they are under.

NFU Mutual's rural affairs specialist Hannah Binns said the organised element of rural crime was a "relatively new threat" and collaboration between sectors was essential to respond.

"It is helping drive down crime in many areas," she added.

"However, the increased cost of rural crime to Northern Irish farmers shows that we cannot afford to be complacent, and that organised criminals will continue to find new ways to target farmers."

She added that the impact of rural crime extended "beyond financial loss, undermining trust and connection, often leaving a trauma that can remain with farmers, their families and wider communities for a lifetime".

How can farmers protect themselves?

Finlay highlighted the rising price of agricultural machinery, making it "more theft-attractive".

She said the reduction in GPS unit thefts showed the value of sharing information and best practice across the sector.

McLenaghan said there were other steps farmers could take to try to reduce their risk of being targeted, or increase the likelihood of a stolen item being recovered.

"Practical measures such as documenting machinery, keeping photographic records, investing in tracking technology, and utilising initiatives like trailer marking and freeze-branding livestock can play an important role in deterring crime and improving recovery rates.

"In parallel, policymakers need to ensure that the PSNI have the powers to tackle rural crime effectively on the ground, and the UFU is taking that message to Stormont."

Farm animal thefts linked to organised crime

Farming community 'traumatised' after burglaries

Farmer describes theft of 50 lambs as 'shocking'

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Money”