RURAL crime cost Lancashire more than £1.6million last year, making it the seventh worst affected county in the UK by cost.

The figures published NFU Mutual’s 2019 rural crime report show the cost of rural crime in 2018 was up by 5.9 per cent on the previous year.

Supt Julian Platt said he recognised the problem rural communities faced and stated the police see ‘strong partnerships, together with focused police activity, as the key to impacting on rural crime’.

Overall, figures reveal that rural crime cost the UK £50m in 2018, an increase of 12 per cent on the previous year and the highest overall cost in seven years. The sharp rises are being driven mainly by high value thefts of tractors, quad bikes and other farm vehicles – up 26 per cent to £7.4m in 2018.

The items most commonly targeted by thieves across the North West over the last 12 months were tools, all-terrain vehicles/quads and machinery.

Jo Oliver, an NFU Mutual senior agent in Lancashire, said: “One of the most alarming findings from this year’s report is that fear of crime is changing life in the countryside. From constant reports of thefts and suspicious vehicles touring the countryside and rural criminals regularly staking out farms, country people feel they are under siege.

“The report further reveals that limited police resources and repeat attacks are the biggest fears for people in rural communities, with many forced to change the way they live and work as a result of rural crime.

“We work closely with our rural policing teams in Lancashire to help prevent crime and the fear of crime and have regular meetings to identify any hotspots.

“Repeat attacks are causing widespread anxiety and exacerbating the problems of rural isolation amongst farmers who often work alone all day.

“Some farmers are so concerned about the risk of criminal attack they can no longer leave the farm with their family to attend local agricultural shows.”

Superintendent Platt, rural operational lead for the force, said: “We recognise the challenges in rural communities that these statistics highlight.

“We are committed to protecting our rural communities and will continue to work to reduce this trend.

“The constabulary sees strong partnerships, together with focused police activity, as the key to impacting on rural crime.

“We would ask the public to support this approach and keep talking to us.”

To report a crime call police on 101.