Rural crime surge costs Kent farmers £1.4m according to NFU Mutual insurance report

Last year rural theft cost Kent almost £1.4m, making it the third worst-affected county in the UK.

Across Britain, rural theft spiked by 40% in the first quarter of this year, with the cost of living rises and the increasing cost of machinery making crime more profitable.

Farm vehicles remain a top target with Land Rover, quad bikes and trailer thefts commonplace while rustling is also on the rise.

Farmers are being urged to boost their security as fuel and machinery prices soar.

NFU Mutual, the insurance company for the farming world, has invested £430,000 to help police and the countryside tackle rural crime.