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The number of agricultural crime incidents that were reported to police in Northern Ireland (NI) has hit a record low, the latest figures indicate, as incidents of rural crime in NI have been generally decreasing.
During the 2018/19 year, there were 402 incidents of agricultural crime in NI, down 9% from the 443 incidents reported to the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) a year earlier.
Police define agricultural crime as incidents of burglary, robbery and theft where the victim is involved in an agricultural-based activity.
The first year of records available for agricultural crime is 2010/2011, when there were 937 incidents.
The PSNI figures show that the total number of reported cases has fallen for six of the last eight years and has more than halved within the past five years.
However, there was a different trend for all types of crime reported in rural areas (not just those relating to agriculture).
Asides from last year’s increase, PSNI figures for incidents of rural crime in NI have, in general, been moving downwards
The number of rural crime incidents in NI increased by 4.4% to 5,658 cases during the 2018/19 year.
That trend is also reflected in the latest figures from rural insurance company NFU Mutual, which suggests that during the 2018 calendar year, the cost of rural crime in NI increased by 3.9% year on year and totalled £2.8m.
Asides from last year’s increase, PSNI figures for incidents of rural crime in NI have, in general, been moving downwards.
The PSNI point out that the 5,658 cases in 2018/19 is more than a third lower than the 9,211 offences recorded in 2010/11.
Concern
According to the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), although the number of incidents has fallen, the increased cost of the rural crime cannot be ignored.
“So far this year there have been several high value thefts involving tractors, as well as a number of large livestock thefts with repeat attacks all too often becoming a reality for many farmers. The financial aspect of rural crime can spell disaster for those affected, threatening livelihoods overnight and often there is a lasting impact on well-being that is difficult to measure,” UFU deputy president Victor Chestnutt said.
I would encourage all farmers and rural dwellers to ensure that all incidences of rural crime and any information anyone may hold in relation to rural crime is reported
The union want a collaborative approach to tackling rural crime in NI with farmers, the PSNI and the wider rural community working together.
“I would encourage all farmers and rural dwellers to ensure that all incidences of rural crime and any information anyone may hold in relation to rural crime is reported and shared with the PSNI,” Chestnutt said.
NI farmers are being encouraged to step up security on their farms, avail of a free trailer marking initiative and consider joining a local farm watch scheme.
Border areas
PSNI figures confirm that the border areas continue to have the most cases of agricultural and rural crime in NI.
The latest data shows that across the 11 policing districts in NI, cases of agricultural crime were most prevalent in Newry, Mourne and Down where 65 incidents were reported in 2018/19, although that is down from 79 the previous year.
With rural crime, Newry, Mourne and Down also had the highest number of incidents with 897 cases. The Ards and North Down policing district had the lowest number of rural crime cases (asides from Belfast City) with 297 incidents.
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