Rural crime in Devon and Cornwall up by 27% during pandemic
It is estimated to have cost farmers £690,000 in 2020, according to insurer NFU Mutual
The cost of rural theft in Devon and Cornwall rose 27% to an estimated £690,000 in 2020, according to figures released by leading rural insurer, NFU Mutual.
Devon and Cornwall's increase was due to more costly crimes being committed as determined thieves got more 'bang for their buck' as they focused on high-value targets including farming Global Positioning Systems, quad bikes and livestock last year.
Devon and Cornwall's sharp rise is in contrast to a 20.3% fall in the estimated UK bill for rural crime, revealed in NFU Mutual's 2021 Rural Crime Report.
The wider South West region was also the only part of the UK where livestock theft costs increased significantly in 2020, with a 39% rise, while the UK saw the cost of rustling fall by 25% to £2.3m.
In response to ongoing regular thefts of sheep in remote areas such as Dartmoor, NFU Mutual has joined forces with Devon and Cornwall Police to launch a new initiative to enable local residents and countryside visitors to report suspicious activity to local farmers.
The Devon Livestock Initiative is providing farmers with gate signs which include the times that stock are normally moved and asking members of the public who see sheep being moved outside these times to call a local phone number.
Roz Hills, NFU Mutual Regional Manager for the South West, said:
"Despite Coronavirus restrictions, determined criminals have found opportunities to continue to target the local countryside. However, despite the increase in the cost of rural theft, Devon and Cornwall still have rural crime levels well below other areas in the UK.
"There's no doubt that when we work together with police, farmers, communities and other rural organisations to tackle rural crime it can make a real difference.
"We believe this is vital support because rural crime isn't just about money to replace stolen livestock. It causes disruption, seriously affects farmers' mental well-being and destroys the trust which enables rural communities to flourish.
"The South West's sharp increase in livestock theft is a major concern, and we are working closely with Devon and Cornwall Police's rural team to help bring criminals to justice - and deter others from stealing sheep and cattle.
"Last year also saw sharp rises in other crimes such as dog attacks on livestock which caused appalling suffering to farm animals and huge anxiety for farmers and their families as they dealt with the aftermath."
Colin Abel's family have farmed sheep across thousands of acres of rugged Dartmoor for over a hundred years. Over the last decade, they have been plagued by sheep theft and Colin estimates the farm is now losing 200 sheep a year to thieves.
Colin farms with his two brothers. Together, they have 1,500 acres of in-hand land, and also run their 5,000 ewes over thousands of acres of Dartmoor. Hardy breeds are essential in the harsh environment of the moor, which provides rough grazing in an environment subject to very high rainfall, strong winds and frequent winter snow. The brothers' flocks are made up of Scottish Blackface, Welsh Mountain and traditional Dartmoor hardy breeds.
The moor's unfenced roads and sparse population make it attractive to rustlers who have skills to round up sheep, transport them, and have a market for illegally slaughtered and butchered meat.
"The situation is getting worse," said Colin.
"Over the last few years, we've had regular thefts and are now losing about 200 sheep a year to rustlers. It's a huge problem for all the farmers who graze sheep on the moor as commoners.
"For small farms, the risk of having stock stolen is now making it too risky to graze sheep on the moor. Small farmers have been grazing sheep on Dartmoor for centuries as commoners, so the constant threat if theft is forcing an end to traditional farming life in West Devon.
"Because fewer sheep are being kept on Dartmoor, that's leading to grass not being grazed which in turn brings a higher risk of fire. In a dry spell in February, we had one of the worst moorland fires we have ever seen, covering hundreds of acres of moorland."
Colin and his brothers are determined to continue the tradition of grazing sheep on Dartmoor.
In July they were the first farm to take part in a pilot "Livestock Line" scheme which provides contact details for local residents and visitors to report suspicious activities such as people rounding up sheep at night.
Set up by Devon and Cornwall Police, Livestock Line provides participating farmers with signs for field gates which tell the public when farmers are likely to move livestock, with a contact number to call if they see or hear animals being moved outside these hours.
"Local people tend to recognise us and our vehicles, so if they see anyone unfamiliar moving sheep - particularly at night - having contact details to check if something illegal is going on should help put a stop to these thefts.
Colin is also closely following technological security developments such as tracking devices for livestock.
"I'm sure technology is going to play a major part in beating livestock thieves. The science is already there, and companies are bringing out systems which can set off an alarm if they're moved."
At the launch of the pilot scheme at Colin Abel's farm, Kerry Hogan, from NFU Mutual's Plymouth Agency, said: "With more and more people using the Devon countryside for leisure, we are urging the public to support farmers and rural communities by reporting suspicious sightings and crimes to the police. This scheme gives clear guidance to moorland residents and visitors on what to do and who to call if they spot something happening which doesn't look right.
"Farmers have worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic keeping the nation fed and caring for the countryside. By working together, we can help stop these thefts which are threatening the long-term future of our small farms.
"There are many more visitors to the moor than ever before since the pandemic began, and the signs will also enable them to get in touch with us if they spot anything which doesn't look quite right."