RURAL crime cost Hampshire almost £710,000 in 2016, down more than 14 per cent from £825,000 in the previous year.

The figures form part of NFU Mutual’s 18th annual Rural Crime Report, which also reveals that, though the UK as a whole experienced a four per cent fall in the numer of reported thefts last year, the cost of rural theft in the county rose in the first half of 2017.

Early theft statistics for the first half of this year show a sharp rise of more than 20 per cent, nationally, raising concerns that a new wave of crime is hitting the countryside.

The items most commonly targeted by thieves in Hampshire were tools, garden equipment, all-terrain vehicles and quad bikes.

Patrick Govier, the Alton agent for leading rural insurer NFU Mutual, said: “Although the figures for rural crime in Hampshire are down, countryside criminals continue to become more brazen and farmers are now having to continually increase security and adopt new ways of protecting their equipment.

“In some parts of the county, farmers are having to turn their farmyards into fortresses to protect themselves from repeated thieves who are targeting quads, tractors and power tools.

“They are using tracking devices on tractors, video and infra-red surveillance in their farm yards and even DNA markers to protect sheep from rustlers.”

The report reveals that being ‘staked out’ is the biggest worry for country people, followed closely by longer police response times in rural areas, according NFU Mutual.

Criminals continue to target Land Rover Defenders, quad bikes, tractors, tools and livestock despite increased security on farms, added the Stratford-upon-Avon-based insurer.

Mr Govier said: “Our advice to people living and working in the countryside is to regularly evaluate your current security measures making improvements where necessary, remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the local police and local farm watch schemes.”

For more information and advice on how to beat rural crime in your area download the report at www.nfumutual.co.uk/ruralcrime