The National Farmers Union Mutual Insurance Society (NFU Mutual) estimated that the cost of rural crime in Scotland rose by 34.9% to £1.8 million (€2.1 million) in 2023.
On Thursday, February 6, the society hosted a rural crime drop-in session at the Scottish parliament and called for a Machinery Theft Bill in Scotland, similar to the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act in place in England and Wales.
The Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act was brought into law in 2023. It aims to prevent both the theft and re-sale of agricultural equipment, by ensuring immobilisers and forensic marking is fitted as standard, and a registration database is created.
Representatives from NFU Mutual and police officers from the National Rural Crime Unit attended the event to discuss the issue of equipment and machinery theft across Scotland.
NFU Mutual’s rural affairs specialist, Hannah Binns said: “Machinery and equipment are vital for Scottish farmers and crofters to complete their day-to-day work and feed the nation, and theft can cause needless delays and disruptions.
“All indications suggest rural crime is becoming more organised and determined in nature.
“It is clear that co-ordinated efforts from insurers, farmers, manufacturers, police, and politicians are key in providing a united response to the challenge presented by organised criminals and opportunistic thieves,” she added.
Rural crime
NFU Mutual has said the session demonstrated the impact that rural crime has on farmers, and on the wider community.
Speaking at last week’s event, member of Scottish parliament (MSP) for Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Rachael Hamilton, said people are paying “too heavy a price simply due to where they live”.
“We have seen tough measures to prevent equipment theft passed down south and I am urging the UK Labour government to release the consultation responses in relation to that bill to allow us to deliver the same benefits to Scotland,” she concluded.
