THE countryside is in “the grip” of a “crime wave” according to a rural insurer, as thefts hit a four-year high.

NFU Mutual made the claim as its latest figures reveal a sharp rise in the cost of rural thefts.

This comes as the National Rural Crime Network launches a survey to judge both the perception and reality of crime in rural communities who, they say, “deserve better”.

Although the NFU Mutual figures show an increase in theft costs nationally, the South East is among those seeing the “steepest rise”.

Richard Buer, NFU Mutual senior partner and Alton and Petersfield branch group secretary, is based at Selborne and sees the impact of these crimes first hand.

“Thefts are reported in our office almost on a daily basis, from thefts of large machinery to small hand tools,” he said.

“Farmers are having to fit padlocked gates, security cameras, trackers and some even engage security guards to keep an eye on their premises – all at great cost to them.

“Resource for rural policing is always an issue but I urge farmers to report any incident of rural crime whether the criminal has been successful or not.

“This allows the police to gauge the extent of the problem, hopefully enabling more resource.”

Last year, data from the Office for National Statistics highlighted a spike in burglaries in Hampshire.

The stats tracked crime rates between March 2016 and March 2017, during which time Hampshire saw a 14 per cent rise in all burglary and a 16 per cent rise in domestic burglary - well above the national increase of six per cent. There was also a 24 per cent spike in vehicle related thefts and a 27 per cent rise in robberies.

Nationally, only around one-in-10 burglaries are solved meaning that, by and large, thieves are quite literally getting away with it.

In Hampshire, this could be caused in part by resources stretched thinner than many senior officers would like.

Hampshire Police Federation chairman John Apter has previously warned the force is “at crisis point” after budget cuts, with officers facing unprecedented strain.

He has said the crux of the issue is that “there are simply not enough police officers” in Hampshire, with numbers dropping off since 2010.

Fewer officers means resources must be focused on the most serious crimes, with relatively petty incidents going unsolved.

On top of this, a diminished visible police presence further emboldens criminals.

According to the latest publication from the Office for National Statistics on crime stats, police figures suggest continued rises in vehicle-related theft and burglary.

Claim statistics published by NFU Mutual, the insurer of almost threequarters of the UK’s farms and thousands of rural businesses and homes, reveals 2017 saw a theft increase of 13.4 per cent - the highest year-on-year percentage rise since 2010.

Every year, they publish a detailed report on rural crime trends in August which provides analysis including county statistics and information on changing patterns of theft.

But, this year, “widespread concern in rural communities” has led NFU Mutual to issue an early warning to farmers and country residents to increase security.

“NFU Mutual’s close links to farmers and country people through our 300 local branch offices have revealed widespread concern that more criminals are targeting the countryside and they are going for richer pickings,” said Tim Price, NFU Mutual rural affairs specialist.

He added that criminals are becoming increasingly “brazen” in their targets.

National Rural Crime Network chairman Julia Mulligan said the results of their previous survey were “shocking”. “Rural communities are resilient,” she added. “They stick together, they’re proud, but they deserve better.”

The 2018 National Rural Crime Survey went live on April 18 and is available for completion until June 10.

To take part, visit www.nationalru ralcrimenetwork.net.

East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds met with Mr Buer and local farmers at the end of last month to discuss a variety of issues, including crime.