NFU Mutual has reminded farmers to stay vigilant as the theft of power tools remains a “major issue” across the UK according to the rural insurance company.
Tradespeople in rural communities have also been warned by NFU Mutual following its new research, which has found that nearly two out of three people in the trade industry have had their tools stolen in the last 12 months.
The research revealed that the most common places where power tools were taken from was building sites (36%); inside vehicles (32%); business premises (11%).
In addition to these new findings, NFU Mutual stated that rural crime cost the UK economy an estimated £44.1 million in 2024, with crimes ranging from theft of livestock to thieves stealing essential agricultural equipment and tools.
NFU Mutual
The rural insurer’s head of commercial, Zoe Knight described tool thefts as “an epidemic that continues to cause major issues and distress to hard-working farmers and tradespeople up and down the country”.
She said: “Workers rely heavily on their tools and vehicles for their job, so it is vital they have protection and security in place.
“Tougher laws on tool theft would help deter thieves and tackle this growing issue.”
The head of the National Rural Crime Unit at NFU Mutual, Andrew Huddleston noted that many farmers have either experienced tool theft personally or know someone who has.
He added: “Alongside burglaries it is also not uncommon when a quad bike or tractor is stolen for tools to be grabbed as well; the likes of chainsaws, drills, grinders or stone cutters are favourites.
“Whilst a significant amount of machinery is recovered every year, tools very rarely are and a fundamental cause of this is the extremely poor identity marking by manufacturers on even high-value tools.
“Over the last two years, the National Rural Crime Unit and the National Police Chiefs’ Council tool theft lead have asked manufacturers and the government to help farmers and the police by improving marking on tools and bring in legislation.”
Advice
The National Rural Crime Unit, which is majorly funded by NFU Mutual, has also advised members of rural communities on how they can better protect themselves against potential tool thefts.
Huddleston outlined: “Owners marking their tools can help but I would also insist that protecting our rural communities, farms, equipment and tools starts long before this.
“Basic security measures do help; so locks, lights, CCTV and the old farm dog in the yard is still as good a deterrent as it always was.
“I advise people to buy machinery that is secure by design and doesn’t use a universal key, consider tracking technology and marking like the industries CESAR scheme.”
He highlighted taking part in the community’s Rural Watch scheme as a precautionary measure that “has proven time and again to make the area you live in more hostile for criminals.”
