The cost of rural crime in Scotland has fallen by a third, reveals NFU Mutual report

The cost of rural crime in Scotland fell by 33 per cent, to an estimated £1.2m in 2024, according to NFU Mutual figures.

A new report by the insurer reveals that that rural crime cost the UK an estimated £44.1m in 2024, down from £52.8m the previous year.

Quad bikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) remained top targets for thieves in Scotland, mirroring the UK-wide trend, which saw an estimated £2.7m worth of ATVs stolen last year.

Livestock theft remained high in 2024 at an estimated cost of £3.4m across the UK. NFU Mutual reported that this has followed the wider trend in rural crime, becoming highly organised and often involving 50 or more sheep taken in a single raid.

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.

Katy Townsend, farming specialist at NFU Mutual, commented: “In recent years we’ve seen rural crime becoming increasingly organised, serious and persistent in nature, with thieves willing to pull out all the stops to get what they desire, and sadly we saw that trend continue in 2024.

“Rural crime goes far beyond disrupting farm work and impacting food production. It has a real impact on the mental well-being of farmers and their families, causing severe stress and sleepless nights, as the rural community lives in fear that those responsible might return.

“Coordinated efforts from insurers, farmers, manufacturers, police, industry and law makers are crucial in delivering a unified response to the rural-crime challenge posed by organised criminals and opportunistic thieves. United, we can confront rural crime with strength.”

To help farmers and rural communities protect their livelihoods from the threat posed by organised crime, NFU Mutual provided over £400,000 on rural crime-fighting initiatives in 2024.

www.nfumutual.co.uk/farming/rural-crime/.