A huge rise in the number of thefts within the south west agricultural industry has sparked dismay among farmers and police.

Last year witnessed an 86 per cent increase in levels of what is being called agri-crime, as the total cost to farmers in the region topped an estimated £8million – almost double the figure for 2009.

With outbreaks of rioting and looting gripping towns and cities across the country at the start of August, the focus of recent weeks has been on the challenge of policing urban areas.

But a rural crime survey has shown that the countryside is proving just as difficult to police, with crooks making off with thousands of pounds’ worth of equipment ranging from tractors, harvesters, trailers and ploughs to smaller power tools.

Quad bikes are also popular with the thieves, who usually strike after dark – as is oil and diesel fuel.

Depressingly, the levels of agri-crime are predicted to get even worse – despite efforts by crime prevention officers specially assigned to the agricultural industry and specialist insurance companies doing all they can to stop it.

Figures from insurers NFU Mutual this month reveal that the rise in theft to agriculture in Somerset, Devon and Cornwall alone is estimated to have cost £8.3 million in 2010.

This reflects a nationwide trend whereby almost two thirds (62 per cent) of NFU Mutual branches reported an increase in rural crime in their area, as did other firms.

Ken Doig, NFU Mutual agent in Bridgwater, Somerset, told South West Farmer: “People living and working in rural areas of Somerset and the west country need to be vigilant and keep working with police and local communities to help fight rural crime.

“Highly organised thieves don’t just target tractors and farm machinery – they can also make money from items like quad bikes and power tools that can be stolen and sold on in the blink of an eye.”

Alistair Murdoch, NFU Mutual agent in Truro, said: “There is no substitute for good physical security. Strong locks, security lighting, and maybe even a dog. It’s all about taking small steps to make life much harder for rural criminals and making outbuildings more secure is an effective deterrent.

“Taking the time to mark your more valuable items will make it much easier return property should it ever get stolen. Unless they are marked and identifiable, many farm and household items can be difficult to trace but very simple for criminals to sell.”

Police admit that policing rural areas is not easy – particularly in the south west, which has long been thought of as a safe place with less crime than in many other areas.

Nationally, thieves have targeted expensive tractors, heating oil, scrap metal and livestock.

Farmers who in the past have been used to leaving machinery in open barns or in fields overnight now no longer do so.

Often machinery left in fields or away from farm buildings, is moved close to roadways by the thieves, where it is later picked up by trailer during the night.

But it was the theft of power tools such as chainsaws, electric drills and lawnmowers from barns and stores which topped the list of items targeted by rural criminals in the south west. Quad bikes came a close second followed by fuel. All are easy to sell on without trace.

The NFU Mutual rural crime survey is based on the 2010 claims experience of its network of branch offices located in rural towns and villages. It includes claims for crimes against homes, farms, commercial premises and vehicles.