NFU demands stronger policing as farm crime threats rise
© Tim Scrivener The NFU is calling for stronger government and police collaboration to deliver more effective rural policing, as farmers report a rise in hare coursing following an early harvest.
The union has used National Rural Crime Network’s Rural Crime Action Week, which runs from 6-11 September, to demand that police reform results in more visible support for farming communities and better action against repeat offenders.
NFU vice-president Robyn Munt highlighted one case in Bedfordshire where a farmer has faced repeated disruption from hare coursers. She said farmers need confidence that local police understands the specific challenges they face.
See also: Westward spread of hare coursing alarms CLA
“When you’re facing serious disruption to your business, you need to know the police locally are there to support you and that they understand what you are talking to them about,” she said.
The NFU is calling for fairer funding for rural policing, a dedicated rural crime team in every police force and a cross-departmental rural crime task force.
It also wants the Police Reform Bill to improve neighbourhood policing, cross-border intelligence sharing and police forces’ ability to tackle organised criminality, including machinery theft, fly-tipping and hare coursing.
Hare coursing is a particular concern this autumn as dry weather and an earlier-than-usual harvest have opened up large areas of stubble sooner, potentially creating more opportunities for organised gangs.
The NFU said coursing can cause damage to crops, gates, fences and other farm infrastructure, while the associated intimidation can leave farmers and their families feeling vulnerable.
‘Report crimes’
Ms Munt urged farmers to report every incident, “however big or small”, saying intelligence from reports is important in demonstrating the scale and impact of rural crime.
The union is also highlighting the wider cost of rural crime. In one case cited by the NFU, a Hertfordshire farmer was left facing a £40,000 bill after about 200t of rubbish were dumped on his land.
The Countryside Alliance is also using the campaign to press for rural communities to be considered in police reform, while inviting victims to report incidents through its rural crime map.
Scottish Land & Estates has highlighted the wider financial and emotional burden of rural crime, including machinery and fuel theft, fly-tipping and livestock worrying.
It said the consequences can extend beyond the immediate loss or damage to include lost working time, higher security and insurance costs, veterinary bills and waste removal.
The NFU said police forces should ensure officers understand their powers to tackle hare coursing, make full use of intelligence-sharing arrangements such as Operation Galileo and take a robust approach to repeat offenders.
Ms Munt said: “No one should have to live or work in fear.”
Financial and emotional toll
The financial burden remains substantial despite an overall fall in rural crime costs. NFU Mutual estimates rural crime cost the UK £41.5m in 2025, down 6% from £44.1m the previous year.
However, agricultural vehicle theft claims rose 18% to an estimated £8.3m, while livestock theft increased by almost 30% to £4.5m and quad and ATV theft rose 31% to £3.5m.
The impact is not confined to financial losses. NFU Mutual found 29% of agents had seen farmers change their practices or leave the industry because of rural crime, while 90% said local rural crime teams need more funding.
Five steps to protect your farm from rural crime
1. Report every incident
Tell police about all criminal activity, even if the incident appears minor. A series of reports can help build an intelligence picture and identify repeat offenders or patterns. Call 999 if a crime is in progress or there is an immediate danger; use 101 for non-emergency incidents.
2. Record useful evidence
Keep a note of dates, times, locations and descriptions of suspicious vehicles or people. Photograph damage where it is safe to do so. CCTV, trail cameras and vehicle-registration details can provide valuable evidence.
3. Secure access points
Check gates, fences and other vulnerable entry points regularly, particularly around harvested fields and stubbles. Consider robust locks, lighting, cameras and other measures appropriate to the location. Make sure contractors and family members know how to report suspicious activity.
4. Work with neighbours
Share information about suspicious activity with neighbouring farms and local rural crime networks. A coordinated approach can help identify vehicles, people and patterns moving between farms.
5. Know who to contact
Find out which local policing team deals with rural crime and what powers officers have to tackle problems such as hare coursing. Ask about local intelligence-sharing initiatives, including Operation Galileo, and make sure incidents are being passed to the relevant team.
Above all, don’t confront suspected offenders. Keep yourself, your family and employees safe, record what you can from a safe distance and contact the police.