NFU Mutual is urging farm shop owners to stay vigilant as its research shows “an alarming number of cases of theft and violence across the country”.
The rural insurer’s survey of 500 decision makers in retail revealed that two thirds of rural retailers have suffered from crime in the last 12 months.
This has cost shops in those areas an average of more than £40,000 in that time.
The research also found that one in 20 rural retailers had lost between £200,001 and £500,000 to crime over the same period.
Farming specialist at NFU Mutual, David Harrison, said: “Our study shows a worrying number of retailers of all sizes are unfortunately falling victim to crime and we would urge farm shop owners to stay vigilant to protect their stock, staff and premises.
“With rural retailers on average suffering losses of more than £40,000 a year as a result of theft, we have seen businesses make huge efforts to feel protected from crime, with both technology and physical security put in place.
“As a mutual serving farm shops across the country, we work closely with our risk management specialists to reduce the threat of other shops becoming victims of crimes like this.
“Farm shops have sadly been targeted in the past due to their remote locations, so it’s vital owners take all necessary and appropriate preventative steps to try and deter thieves.”
Prevention measures
The survey revealed that more than half (53%) of rural retailers said they have had to implement security measures in the last year.
This includes a variety of physical and technological protection, with 59% installing CCTV and 41% training employees on safety and self-defence.
Those preventative measures come as almost three quarters (72%) of rural retailers say they believe crime has increased in the last 12 months.
NFU Mutual’s survey showed that nearly three-quarters of retailers (74%) across all areas of the UK suffered from crime over the past 12 months – costing shops an average of almost £60,000 in that time.
The most common type of crime retailers have suffered was:
- The theft of goods from the shopfloor or stockroom in working hours (48%);
- Verbal violence or assault against staff and customers (38%);
- Overnight theft (23%);
- Criminal damage (20%);
- Theft of money from tills or safe (13%).
