Loss Prevention

Levels of rural crime are worrying and being a victim can be devastating. Find out what you can do to reduce the risk of crime on your property.

Livestock theft isn’t something most farmers expect to face, but a recent incident in Cornwall is a reminder that it pays to stay vigilant. Devon & Cornwall Police is encouraging farmers to take another look at security and the steps they can take to deter thieves.

Rising costs have made stored fuel more appealing to opportunistic thieves as well as organised criminals. The isolated location, valuable machinery and on-site fuel storage of farm businesses make them an attractive target.

Farmers play an important role in maintaining safe public access to the countryside while also protecting their livestock. Taking a proactive approach to managing Public Rights of Way continues to reduce the likelihood of incidents but new legislation introduced in March 2026 gives farmers and their animals greater protection. 

ATVs are an invaluable workhorse on almost every UK farm, but over the last two years, 20% of on-farm fatalities have involved these types of vehicles – five quad bike deaths occurring in just the last six months. They are also a common target of organised crime. Cornish Mutual Health & Safety Advisor Evie Gubb and the Avon & Somerset Police Rural Crime Team offer their advice on how to keep yourselves, your employees and your property safe.  

Many farmers have Public Rights of Way (PROW) across their land and while it can be inconvenient to manage public paths, it is a legal requirement for them to be usable. It can also protect the land and increase the safety of livestock.

The rise in shoplifting across the retail sector has been well reported, with record levels published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) earlier this year. And this includes rural businesses. Farm shop owners are experiencing the same upset, frustration and financial losses as high street retailers. The often-isolated location of rural retail businesses can make them particularly vulnerable.

Rural crime is big business and knows no bounds – or boundaries. Seen as low risk by criminals often working internationally, rural crime is rarely opportunistic these days. In this episode of Farming Focus™, host Peter Green is joined by criminologist Dr Kate Tudor alongside rural policing specialists to discuss what practical steps farmers can take to protect themselves. 

Taking the keys out of your farm vehicle is the single most important step you can take to prevent it being stolen this winter.

This latest spate of thefts is unusual in this part of the South West, according to Devon & Cornwall Police.

As farms rely on more digital technology, the rates of cybercrime increase.

Avon and Somerset Rural Affairs team are working with members of the public to address rural crime and prevent it from happening.

Avon and Somerset Rural Crime team raise awareness of the perception of poaching being "taking one for the pot". This is no longer the case. Its organised groups taking game and livestock to sell into the food chain or making money from bets on illegal hunting such as hare coursing, which was banned in 2004.

As the weather improves and the days get longer, public rights of way and trespassing become a key concern for the region’s farmers.   Arthur Denton, Claims Team Leader for South West insurer Cornish Mutual, explores these issues and offers advice to farmers and landowners.