Farm crime is highest in ABC

THE Chronicle can reveal that the ABC Borough now has the highest level of agricultural crime in the whole of Northern Ireland, with 41 such incidents reported between April 2022 and March 2023, as compared to 32 the previous year – a massive 28% increase.

This was also the third largest increase in terms of agricultural crime, behind Antrim & Newtownabbey (from three to 22 reported incidents), and Mid & East Antrim (from 16 to 31), according to the figures supplied by CompareNI.com

In 2021/22, the borough was ranked second for agricultural crime (32 reported incidents), well behind league-topper Newry, Mourne & Down (39).

While the figure in Newry, Mourne & Down hasn't changed year on year, the borough is now No 1 (41 reported incidents), ahead of Newry, Mourne & Down (39), Mid & East Antrim (31), Causeway, Coast & Glens (30), Fermanagh & Omagh (26), Mid Ulster (25), Antrim & Newtownabbey (22), Derry City & Strabane (11), Lisburn & Castlereagh (9), Ards & North Down (3), while no such incidents were reported in Belfast City.

A small measure of comfort can be derived from the fact that the ABC Borough is one of only two NI local authorities where the overall level of crimes – not specific to the farming world - has dropped year on year (-5.2%), according to PSNI figures.

Burglary and robbery represent 28% of agricultural crime in Northern Ireland, while theft represents 72%.

The estimated bill for rural theft in 2022 was a massive £40.5m – due to the fact that expensive equipment, vehicles and livestock are being targeted by the thieves.

To make things worse for farmers, they must contend with a surge in prices right across essential elements of farming such as electricity, fertiliser, water, animal feed and veterinary bills – making additional costs due to theft disastrous.

Even fuel has become a target, as the cost of red diesel is almost double what it was in 2021/22.

The research, based on a sample of over 6,000 farm vehicle insurance policies, also found that nearly 20% of farmers don’t lock their garages or barns, and 15% of vehicles are left out on unsecure driveways.

Alarmingly, at Northern Ireland level, the proportion of farm vehicles being kept secure in locked garages and barns has dropped from 49.7% in 2019/20 to 41% in 2022, making it easier for the thieves.