Rural crime is leaving farmers 'frightened' as new figures show the cost to farms is on the rise. 

A new report by faming insurers NFU Mutual has revealed that there has been an 18 per cent rise to the cost of rural crime to farmers in Dorset. 

The cost rose from around £347,000 to an estimated £410,000 last year.

The impact of these thefts is not only financial, but it also impacts farmers abilities 'to go about their day job', says Beaminster farmer James Bowditch.

READ: Man arrested after device stolen from tractor in west Dorset

Speaking to the News, he said: "There is a lot of annoying thieving and it's frustrating when tools get stolen - it stops people doing their day's work.

"We try not to have too much equipment in one place, we know the place they like to go but they are getting clever at taking thing you don't realise are missing.

"They are opportunists and just take what they can."

In a sign of the increasing organisation and sophistication of criminals, Global Positioning System (GPS) units were again targeted by gangs throughout 2023 according to the NFU Mutual report. 

READ: Cattle trailer stolen overnight from Halstock Leigh

Mr Bowditch explained the impact of losing this type of equipment which he says can cost around £1,200 a piece.

He added: "A friend of mine had five units stolen near Abbotsbury. 

"They were posing as a BT van, in an old van, and no one paid attention to them. 

"We work until about 11pm so when I am finished I have to go grab the GPS systems in the dark so they don't get stolen - it's slippy and you could hurt yourself if you fell."

Livestock theft also remained high in 2023, according to the new report, at an estimated cost of £2.7m across the UK.

READ: Family cry tears of joy after stolen lambs returned

Mr Bowditch said that thieves could take up to 25 sheep at a time in horseboxes which could cost in the region of £3,500.

He said: "It's very hard to quantify how many you loose. 

"They are hard to count on a daily basis, you might miss some, but 25 could be pinched and out of a flock of 250 it can be hard to spot. 

"They (the thieves) will pen them in on a narrow lane with dogs and then they are gone in the night."

READ: Two tiny lambs stolen from small family farm in Bridport

Mr Bowditch also spoke of the dangers of confronting people he may see scoping out his land and property.

He continued: "They scope out the place way in advance and are as brazen as they like."

Some people don't care, they just turn up with dogs and get aggravated when you confront them, that's why I don't do it anymore.

"It's also people in the community doing it that is frightening and they brazenly get away with it."

When asked about what can be done to prevent rural crime Mr Bowditch felt exasperated and said that local community's working together was the best way.

He added: "The fear factor for young criminals has depleted.

"I think community groups can help by sharing information and that is the best way to protect themselves."