Theft of farmers' livestock, vehicles and fuel is on the rise due to the UK's cost-of-living crisis, according to a new countryside crime report.
It warned rising food prices could see livestock thefts increase further and contaminated meat enter the food chain.
Meanwhile, it said its claims data from the first half of this year indicate that fuel theft has more than doubled compared to the same period in 2021. Its survey found 49% of respondents felt fuel theft was now their greatest crime concern.The total cost of rural crime was estimated at £40.5m across the UK last year, an overall decrease on previous years and the second annual fall during the pandemic.
But Rebecca Davidson, NFU Mutual's rural affairs specialist, said that this year farm theft is "quickly gathering momentum as criminals make up for time lost over the past two pandemic years" and that was having an impact on farmers' mental health.
It’s the Welsh men stealing sheep, it’s baaa baric
Someone does something wrong because something changes.
Just as Liz Truss announces she's going to cut pay and resources everywhere except the south east.
So Malcome who the actual farmers think are doing all the stealing ?
This is what happens after 12 years of Tory rule…
More like criminal immigrants stealing
This government doesn't give a jot about you or what is stolen from your farm. So please in the name of God stop voting for them