Rural crime in the East rising faster than anywhere in England
Watch a report by ITV News Anglia's Kate Prout
The cost of rural crime in the East Anglia has topped £8 million and is growing faster than anywhere else in England with criminals targeting farm machinery.
According to the 2020 Rural Crime report from insurers NFU Mutual, the cost across the UK was at its highest level for eight years, totalling £54.3 million.
Rural crime cost the East of England £8.1m last year, a rise of 17% from 2018. It was the largest increase in England although rural crime is increasing faster in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
NFU Mutual says the rise is being driven by organised criminal gangs targeting high value tractors, quad bikes and large numbers of livestock.
The insurer said that while there have been some reductions in crime under lockdown, there are concerns that rural theft is set to escalate as the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic bites.
The two counties worst affected by the cost of rural crime were Lincolnshireat £2.8 million and Essex at £2.7 million.
Rebecca Davidson, from NFU Mutual, said as well as the financial cost the crimes have a "serious effect on the mental well-being of people living in rural and often isolated areas".
Demand for expensive farm kit overseas was also fuelling the rise, the NFU report said, adding that a joint operation by the company and the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service, recovered five vehicles totalling more than £100,000 in Poland earlier this year.
The cost of livestock theft also rose 9% last year to £3 million, according to the findings.