The number of agricultural crimes reported in NI last year increased by 1.2% to 560 cases, figures published by the PSNI indicate.

Agricultural crime is defined by the PSNI as incidents of burglary, robbery or theft relating to agricultural-based activity.

The marginal increase in agricultural crime in 2016 follows on from two successive annual declines, with the number of cases falling by 16% in 2014 and by a further 26% in 2015.

However, monthly figures suggest that as 2016 progressed crime rates were on the increase, with a two-year high of 66 cases reported last October.

Across the 11 policing districts in NI, the combined district of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon continues to have the highest level of agricultural crime reported, with a total of 106 cases last year, representing a 9.3% annual increase.

Newry, Mourne and Down had the second highest levels of agricultural crime in NI, with cases increasing last year by 4.8%, to 86 incidents.

“In these areas, we need the PSNI to respond to these statistics,” commented Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) deputy president Ivor Ferguson.

Rural crime

However, incidents of crime in rural areas across NI (not just agricultural crime) decreased by 6% from 6,379 cases in 2015 to 5,987 last year. Historic figures show that incidents of rural crime have fallen in each of the last five calendar years.

The Newry, Mourne and Down district continues to have the highest levels of rural crime in NI with 986 incidents last year, although this is down from 1,110 in 2015.

According to the UFU, rural areas and farm businesses remain “soft targets” for criminals. It has pressed for budgets for policing to recognise that rural areas remain exposed to crime.

“Despite much smaller populations and housing density, in many areas rural theft and burglary now account for a third and up to half the crime of this nature.

‘‘That is simply unacceptable,” Ferguson said.