Calls for a coordinated approach to rural crime

• NFU Mutual sponsors the UK’s first national Rural Crime Seminar

• Mutual insurer calls for closer co-operation between insurers and the Police

• NFU Mutual to increase funding of police unit to help tackle rural crime

NFU Mutual is calling for greater co-operation between insurers and police forces to tackle organised rural crime at the UK’s first national Rural Crime Seminar taking place in Kettering today, of which the Mutual is the main sponsor.

As the UK’s leading rural insurer, providing cover to over 70% of UK farmers, NFU Mutual is committed to helping reduce the scale and impact of rural crime on its members and the wider rural community.

The insurer’s own claims figures estimate that the cost of theft from UK farms rose to £49.7 million in 2010 – an increase of 17% from the previous year.

With a 300-strong agency network providing a local, personal service to those who live and work in the countryside, NFU Mutual understands the emotional and financial impact rural crime can have.

Addressing the Rural Crime Seminar today, Matthew Scott, Chief Claims Manager at NFU Mutual, said: "As an insurer that has worked closely with, and funds, Police operations we recognise the challenges for an individual police force when intelligence identifies that there may be a store of stolen property from across the UK within their jurisdiction.

"Our experience of working with local police force representatives is very positive. There are clearly some very dedicated officers who are passionate about fighting rural crime, but this commitment needs to be supported by good continuity and succession planning.

"We strongly favour inter-force co-operation and collaboration with external parties like insurers and equipment manufacturers, and believe that this can be further strengthened. That’s why we’re putting our money where our mouth is and increasing our financial support for police units targeting rural crime from £92,000 to £190,000."

As part of the increased financial package to the Police, NFU Mutual has agreed a stronger working relationship with the Association of Chief Police Officers Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service enabling it to recruit a second police officer to tackle rural vehicle crime.

Tractor thefts remain a major problem for farmers, with a significant increase in the number of tractors being stolen and exported from channel ports to final destinations across the globe. The number of tractor theft claims dealt with by NFU Mutual rose by 8% in 2010 while the cost of claims rose 21% reflecting the trend for thieves to target expensive tractors.

NFU Mutual first funded a dedicated Detective Constable to work full time in its claims team in 2010. This role focuses on the disruption and detection of criminal activity to aid the recovery of stolen vehicles. The insurer shares claims data with the Police to identify trends and has even used sting vehicles to catch criminals.

The Mutual’s joint approach has so far led to the recovery of over £1m worth of stolen tractors and won the "Claims Initiative of the Year" at the British Insurance Awards in July.

Commenting on the initiative, Mr Scott said: "Working with AVCIS and local police forces we have been able to return stolen agricultural equipment to our members very quickly. This not only helps keep costs down, but ensures far less disruption and inconvenience for our policyholders and their businesses. The benefits of the approach substantially exceed the cost of our contribution to the policing budget of AVCIS."