Rural crime in Northern Ireland rises by a fifth to over three million pounds

By Q Radio news

Rural Crime in Northern Ireland has risen by 18% to 3.3 million pounds a year - the second biggest regional rise across the UK.

The new figures come from the insurer NFU Mutual, who say that the theft of high value farm machinery and livestock is the reason behind the rise.

Farmers here are now worried that the economic impact of the Coronavirus pandemic could see rural crime escalate.

It comes as Police say that the number of rural crimes carried out had dropped by 30 to 357 in the year up to the 30th of June.

According to the PSNI, there has been a 62% decrease in rural crimes over the past 10 years, with figures from March to June 2020 the lowest since records began in 2010/11.

The cost of rural crime is more than financial. @nfum report highlights the increasing cost however incidents of reported crime have decreased by 62% over the last 10 years. We remain committed to working with #RuralCrimePartnership to drive this figure down further
#RuralCrime pic.twitter.com/Kz4P8EL5PS

— Police Service NI (@PoliceServiceNI) August 4, 2020

Martin Malone, NFU Mutual Manager for Northern Ireland, said: “Rural crime is like a wave as organised criminality spreads through our villages, farms and rural towns, affecting everyone in the countryside.

"We continue to work hard to stem the tide and are warning rural communities and helping with prevention advice, as there are concerns for the months ahead as the economic impact of Coronavirus bites.

"There are fears that the impact will be felt harder this year as farmers have been working flat-out to feed the nation and many rural communities have been put under additional pressure by the challenges brought by COVID-19.”

Responding to the new figures, DUP MP and Westminster Agriculture Spokesperson Carla Lockhart said,

"This is a huge issue and one that rural communities, the PSNI and other stakeholders must work collaboratively on to tackle.

"Only last week we had cattle theft figures released by DAERA which shows the serious problem it is in Northern Ireland.

"We continue to see other thefts from farms, whether that be machinery or other forms of equipment, these are high value items and their theft can be devastating to farming families."