Farm theft rockets in England

Farm machinery thefts in England shot up 41% in 2007 but fell to around half the level recorded the previous year across the rest of the UK according to rural insurer NFU Mutual.

NFU Mutual's annual farm crime report, based on its own claims, shows that while the cost of farm machinery theft in England rose sharply, it fell by over 50% in Scotland and Northern Ireland and by a quarter in Wales.

"There's been a sharp increase in thefts of new high value tractors in England which we believe are being stolen ‘to order' often for immediate export from channel ports," said Terry Price, of NFU Mutual Risk management Services

"This worrying trend is being driven by a world shortage of new farm machinery following an upturn in arable farm incomes and large-scale investment in agriculture in Eastern Europe."

Higher demand for farm machinery has led to higher prices being charged for new and used farm machinery. NFU Mutual is urging farmers to review the amount their tractors and combines are insured for to avoid a shortfall in the event of a claim.

Turning to other rural crime trends, he said that rural thieves were proving remarkably quick to identify new sources of illicit income.

"Last year we saw a huge rise in metal thefts as commodity prices rose. Farmers have had irrigation pipes, gates, and even heavy pieces of machinery taken by metal thieves.

"This year's sharp rise in oil prices has led to a 30% increase in red diesel thefts from farms. We're also dealing with widespread theft of central heating oil from homes in the countryside - something we haven't seen in the past.

"While theft of heating oil is a new phenomenon, NFU Mutual's farming customers have had to deal with theft from farmyard diesel tanks for a number of years. As a result many farmers have already re-sited diesel tanks and beefed up measures such as floodlighting and alarms in their farmyards.

"Dealing with farm diesel theft claims over a number of years has revealed that simply fitting padlocks to tanks does not always deter thieves."

"Sometimes thieves will smash locks, damaging the tank in the process, or simply drill a hole in it to steal oil. Not only does this mean the tank has to be repaired or replaced - but it also means there is a risk of oil spills and subsequent pollution which can cost tens of thousands of pounds to clear up."