The NFU is calling for "prompt, effective action" as new Home Office figures shows agricultural-related crime has risen over the past four years.
New figures from the Home Office's Commercial Victimisation Survey show that the proportion of businesses experiencing agriculture-related crime and anti-social behaviour has risen since 2013.
It shows that 35% of businesses experienced trespassing or unauthorised access of land or buildings, 26% experienced poaching, hare coursing or illegal hunting, 23% experienced quad biking or use of other vehicles on their land and 15% of businesses experienced livestock worrying.
The NFU, the sole farming representative on the Home Office steering group, succeeded in including agriculture into the 2017 Commercial Victimisation Survey.
The results of the survey are used to monitor crime trends, identify what actions need to be taken to reduce crime and find out what support would be most helpful to farm businesses.
The union said it is crucial to demonstrate to police and government the true extent of rural crime with up-to-date statistics from farmers.
'Rural blight'
In its Rural Crime Report, the NFU called on authorities to ensure there is a dedicated rural police team in each force and for government to bring together a cross-departmental taskforce that could address failures in dealing with rural crime.
NFU Deputy President Guy Smith said the new figures will come as no surprise to farmers on the ground, who often feel in a "state of siege from the criminal fraternity".
“Every day the NFU hears from its members about this rural blight that has a seriously detrimental effect on lives and businesses,” Mr Smith said.
“These crimes, whether it is fly-tipping, hare-coursing, burglary or theft, have more in common with organised crime than simply spontaneous acts, and it all impacts on the daily lives of farmers in far-reaching and costly ways.
“Crime in the countryside is not a simple fix, and it needs commitment and resource from both the police and government. With suspected links to organised crime, any solution needs cross-departmental co-operation in government to address this issue with a consistent approach.”
Solid evidence
The NFU pushed the government to ensure agriculture was included in the Commercial Victimisation Survey to provide solid evidence that can be presented to police and government.
And nearly a year on from releasing the Rural Crime Report, the NFU has brought the issue of rural crime to the forefront of its activity.
For example, the NFU has presented to all police chief constables on the seriousness rural crime and also hosted over 90% of police forces affected by hare-coursing to improve co-ordinated action.
Mr Smith added: “It is time that we saw some considerable action being taken by government and police to curb increasing crime in the countryside, and allow farmers to do what they do best – producing food for the nation.”
The figures follow the release of new data showing rural crime costing the UK £44.5m in 2017, with the future trend showing a rise as thieves become more “brazen” as they target the countryside.
Due to the increase in crime, the 2018 National Rural Crime Survey has been launched to spearhead greater recognition and understanding of the problems and impact of crime in rural communities. The survey is open for submissions until Sunday 10 June.
