Rising cost of rural crime in the West Country

There's a warning that our countryside is in the grip of a rural crime wave, with a sharp rise in the cost of thefts from farms, homes and businesses.

New figures show an increase of more than 13% per cent last year, the biggest rise since 2010.

  • Watch: Farmers speak out over rural crime

David Powers has been hit by criminals twice. Two tractors, a quad bike and other valuable equipment have been stolen, piling more stress onto what is already a high pressure job.

Figures from the insurance company NFU Mutual show theft alone cost rural homes and businesses in the UK almost £45m last year - the highest level for four years.

James Small has had sheep attacked and killed by dogs on his farm near Cheddar. Credit: ITV West Country

Somerset farmer James Small has had sheep attacked and even killed by out of control dogs at his farm near Cheddar Gorge. Another, just a few miles away, had 30 cows and calves stolen from a field near Wookey this April.

In the South West, farmers and police work in partnership on the Rural Crime Forum, to try to reduce the impact, particularly where organised crime is involved.

One major side-effect of farmyards becoming crime scenes is the fear that the welcoming atmosphere of the countryside could be under threat.

Credit: ITV West Country