NFU Mutual report reveals cost of rural crime in Nottinghamshire dropped by 30%

Co-ordinated action against organised and serious crime in the countryside has helped secure a 30% decrease in the cost of rural crime in the county.

New figures released by NFU Mutual reveal that rural crime cost Nottinghamshire £743,000 in 2024, a 30.5% decrease from the £1,069,000 figure in 2023.

Published on Monday, June 16, NFU Mutual’s report reveals that rural crime cost the UK an estimated £44.1m in 2024, down from £52.8m the previous year — with the Midlands seeing the largest decrease.

Kylie Robson-Lee, NFU Mutual regional manager for the Midlands, said: “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.

“Although we must stay alert, it's encouraging to see that the Midlands reflected the trend as the cost of rural crime across the UK dropped 16.5% to £44.1m as we continue to collaborate with industry and law enforcement to tackle this urgent issue. But we know there is always work to be done when it comes to rural crime.

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

“Co-ordinated 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 – and we can see from our new report that this unified response can bear real dividends.

“United, we can confront rural crime with strength.”

From 2023 to 2024, the rural insurer saw a 35% decrease in claims costs for agricultural vehicle thefts, and — while remaining a top target for thieves — quad bikes and all-terrain vehicles saw a 16% decrease.

Livestock theft remained high in 2024 at an estimated cost of £3.4m across the UK.

Dating back centuries, the crime has in recent years become more highly organised, 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, which was also down — by more than a quarter — compared to the previous year.

To support a crackdown on rural crime, NFU Mutual is a major funder of the National Rural Crime Unit.

It operates a dedicated team which shares claims data and insight, helps to identify areas at risk, and finds theft patterns to assist recoveries, which helped the unit seize £4.4m worth of stolen agricultural vehicles and machinery in 2024.

NFU Mutual has also funded the UK’s first livestock theft officer, and provided more than £400,000 to rural crime fighting initiatives in 2024.