RURAL crime in Hampshire rose by 48 per cent in 2017, according to figures released by an insurance firm.

The annual rural crime report produced by the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) Mutual shows the overall cost of rural crime to the county has risen from £707,224 to £1,052,581 in just 12 months.

The total cost to the South East has risen by an alarming 30.4 per cent over the same period to £7.6m while the increase is 13.4 per cent nationally.

Garden equipment, tools, quad bikes and all-terrain vehicles were among the most commonly stolen items in Hampshire during 2017.

The report also revealed that limited police resources and repeat attacks are the biggest fears for people in rural communities.

NFU Mutual Senior Agent in Hampshire James Prewett believes social media is fast becoming the “new eyes and ears of the countryside’ as police resources become increasingly stretched.

He said: “Countryside criminals continue to become more brazen and farmers are now having to continually increase security and adopt new ways of protecting their equipment.

“The threat of becoming a victim of rural crime, and regular reports of suspicious characters watching farms, is causing high levels of anxiety among farmers who know their rural location makes them vulnerable to attacks. 

“Our advice to people living and working in the countryside is to regularly evaluate your current security measures, making improvements where necessary, remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the local police and local farm watch schemes.”

The survey has given Hampshire Police a real insight into rural communities’ fears and perceptions of crime, according to Assistant Chief Constable Scott Chilton.

In responding to the report, he said Hampshire Police has been working hard to support rural communities through its dedicated Country Watch team.

He added: “This team works closely with our partners to tackle poaching, agricultural plant theft, fly-tipping, wildlife crimes and a range of other offences that matter to rural communities.

“In addition to this dedicated team, our local rural neighbourhood teams work closely with their communities to prevent and tackle rural crime.

“As we talk to rural householders and businesses, we emphasise how important it is for them to report every crime to us. Using the information gained, we can analyse crime hotspots and tackle the organised criminal gangs that target isolated properties and land.

“I am fully determined that those who chose to commit crime in our rural communities will be targeted.”