Livestock worth £2.3m stolen from UK farms in 2020
Some interesting revelations here! This article tells us:
New figures reveal that farm animals worth an estimated £2.3m were stolen from UK farms in 2020, making it one of the most costliest crimes for farmers.
Although the pandemic saw the cost of rustling decrease by a quarter, in the South West region the cost of animals stolen rose by over a third to an estimated £320,000.
Overall, livestock rustling remains one of the most costly crimes for British farmers after vehicle and machinery theft.
The Midlands saw a sharp fall of 44% in 2020 following the prosecution of thieves, who, in 2019, slaughtered large numbers sheep in Northamptonshire.
Rebecca Davidson, rural affairs specialist at NFU Mutual said tougher police enforcement seemed to have taken effect last year.
“Last year’s overall fall is encouraging news to an industry which has worked hard through the pandemic to keep the nation fed.
“The coronavirus restrictions may have also deterred criminals who would have been easier to detect during lockdown.”
However, she said the latest figures from NFU Mutual’s claims were ‘not a reason for complacency’, and farmers remained ‘deeply concerned’ that the crime continued, even at a time of crisis.
“Modern rustling is a large-scale, organised crime causing suffering to animals, adding financial pressures to farmers and putting public health at risk,” Ms Davidson added.
“We are worried that when movement restrictions ease there could be a resurgence as thieves target the countryside again.
“We are urging farmers to remain vigilant and check stock regularly.”
Rustling has always been an aspect of farming, but ten years ago NFU Mutual would rarely see claims of more than a dozen sheep taken at a time.
The insurer now regularly receives reports of thirty to a hundred sheep being taken in a single raid.