RURAL theft costs the UK £43.3m in 2020 with skilled and highly-organised criminals returning and now predominantly targeting tractor equipment, GPS systems and quad bikes.

That's according to the National Farmer Union’s (NFU) annual rural crime report which also identified lockdown trends of fly-tipping, cyber scams and increased livestock attacks impacting farms across Dorset and the rest of the country.

The organisation has called for better support to combat rural crime with thieves using new tactics the report found.

An NFU spokesperson said: “We need more resources devoted to fighting rural crime – police budgets are stretched so, not unnaturally, they focus on large conurbations where most people live.

“This is why it is important for farmers to report any problems they have, so we have the statistics to back-up requests for rural problems to be given higher priority.”

In Dorset the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), David Sidwick, has vowed to make it his priority to tackle rural crime.

In a statement to the Echo, Mr.Sidwick said: “It’s crucial to tackle rural crime in Dorset and that is why I have made it one of the main priorities of my police and crime plan.

“I want to have more special constables from rural areas to bring in a closer understanding of rural issues.”

Overall the £43.3m in thefts was a 20.3% decrease on the year before, however, in the South West it was the only place where livestock theft costs increased significantly.

In 2020 such crime rose 39% to over £345,000, compared to a 25% decrease nationally.

While the number of thefts have gone down the average cost of each incident has gone up with thieves targeting smaller items like GPS systems.

These thefts have severe impacts on farmers' livelihoods and their well-being.

Tom Pope, a chairman at the National Federation of Young Farmers, told the Echo: “Rural crime has a significant, detrimental effect on all farmers, but the financial impact on young farmers starting or progressing their businesses is more pronounced for obvious reasons, not to mention the emotional impact felt by all.”

The Dorset PCC added he wants to “drive down incidents of the theft of essential equipment like gps systems, farm machinery and most importantly livestock” and “will work tirelessly with alliance partners and neighbours” to combat “distressing and callous theft.”