With arguably one of the most high-octane calendars across the UK’s full spectrum of industries, the agricultural sector is one of peaks and troughs. From the highs of lambing and harvest seasons to the challenges of rain-soaked early rises, there’s little time to pause for thought as a farmer or rural entrepreneur.
That’s exactly why securing your farm is a crucial consideration for all farmers. You likely don’t have time to consider that, despite it naturally playing such a pivotal role. That’s further hampered by concerning statistics that point towards opportunistic criminals taking advantage of a packed schedule.
With recent reports pointing towards rural crime being a concern for over half of the agricultural community, and news articles across the UK only serving to reinforce that, farm security solutions must not only be impactful but robust enough to adapt to the ever-changing landscape of both criminal activity and farming.
With Churchill’s latest guide, we’ve identified some of the key threats to farming and rural enterprises as we head towards an uncertain 2025. That’s backed by research from some of farming’s mainstays, as well as pertinent statistics that truly underline the need for effective
Of course, while security is an integral part of any rural enterprise, the statistics go to show just how crucial it is. National Farmers Union (NFU) Mutual’s most recent Rural Crime Report, published late last year, points towards a distinct spike in the prevalence of rural crime post-pandemic, despite a decrease over 2020 and 2021.
On the surface, the statistics make for incredibly grim reading for those intimately involved with farming and rural communities. The total cost of rural crime for 2023 was a staggering £52.8 million – up by 4.3% when compared with the previous year of data. A deeper dive provides no further comfort, either.
One of the most shocking findings from the NFU’s newest data is the drastic (and eye-wateringly expensive) rise in GPS (or satellite navigation) system theft. 2023 alone saw the cost of GPS theft to our country’s farmers more than double, rising to a shocking £4.2 million.
That’s unfortunately just the tip of the iceberg, though. As many readers will be familiar with, all farm equipment costs have continued to rise, which unfortunately brings with it a new wave of agricultural security concerns.
The estimated cost of farm vehicle theft in 2023 alone was just shy of £14 million, the NFU reports, alongside over £5 million in smart technology theft including GPS and driving technology like vehicle assists and tools.
And, while the theft of valuable farm technology is undoubtedly a point of concern for any farmer, fly-tipping continues to cause both property and environmental damage.
In fact, the NRCN (National Rural Crime Network) found in their recent paper that fly-tipping impacts not only agricultural businesses but local residents too, with a staggering 89% of responses voicing their concerns.
While these reports make for an uncomfortable realisation for those in the agricultural industry, they serve to draw attention to the continued need for robust farm security systems. But where do you begin with the huge range of security options out there?
While we’ve already scratched the surface of rural crime, and the need for effective agriculture security systems, there are specific risks you should be aware of. Here are the most pressing concerns for your farm’s security, and how you can best combat these threats.
Modern tractors can cost upwards of £40,000, and often represent one of the largest investments a farmer makes. They’re a worthy outlay, too. They represent the epitome of modern farming, and offer a lucrative venture for all agricultural businesses, especially those that are heavily involved in our food production networks.
But with such a high value, both monetarily and professionally, they often attract unwanted attention. That’s particularly true for higher-end machines, or those that are designed to streamline the agricultural processes.
Agricultural vehicle theft is estimated to cost farmers in excess of £10.7 million a year, according to the NFU’s latest report, and with organised criminals operating across rural towns and villages, it’s a huge concern for many.
The ideal solution is implementing a robust, intelligent farm CCTV and alarm response system, designed to not only protect your livestock and machinery but to deter potential thieves.
Modern CCTV for farm buildings can offer high-definition imaging, alongside a rapid response to any disturbances on your land. Closed-circuit cameras have come a long way from grainy images, and with the right farm security company, you’ll have the peace of mind you need to continue thriving.
It’s fair to say that all walks of life have been impacted by the increasing cost of fuel. In fact, recent data from the RAC Foundation shows just how meteoric the rise of petrol and diesel prices has been over the last 2 years.
And while the cost at the pump is in a steady decline, this has meant that fuels (particularly diesel) have become a highly sought-after commodity in modern society.
We touched on earlier how the NFU flagged fuel theft as a rumbling concern among farmers and the agricultural community. It’s the lifeblood of many aspects of farming, and having the right protection against thieves is essential.
Fuel containers are often isolated parts of the farm, given their volatile nature, so one of the best ways to help protect these valuable assets is through farm security guards. Opting for a farm security company, with staff that are fully SIA-licensed and that understand the importance of keeping your livelihood secure, is the way forward, especially in the winter months.
While fly-tipping predates many of the more technological concerns when it comes to farm perimeter security, it’s no less of an issue. In fact, government statistics point towards fly-tipping as becoming more of a prevalent problem, with over 1.09 million incidents reported between 2022 and 2023.
This doesn’t just threaten the delicate balance of a rural ecosystem. Many fly-tippers have no consideration for what they dump, meaning there could be harmful chemicals or products that leak onto your land.
It’s likely that many farmers have some experience with this, and while you might not have felt its effects, it’s a growing issue that warrants significant attention.
Consider investing in mobile patrols as part of your farm security solutions. These specially trained professionals offer a comprehensive package, with coverage for larger farms, as well as multiple outbuildings and plots.
A stellar farm security package provides not only peace of mind but also a strong deterrent to any potential fly-tippers in the area.
Animals are often at the heart of any successful agriculture venture. They represent a large portion of where your money goes, as well as a huge time and emotional investment on your part.
This sadly makes them a huge target for thieves, and while rustling is by no means a new problem, it’s one that poses a substantial cost sink for farmers across the country.
Industry publication Farmers Weekly estimated the figure to be in the region of £2.3 million in 2020 alone, and that’s only seen a steady rise since then, plateauing at £2.7 million in each of the last 2 years.
As livestock becomes more valuable, and thieves seek out new ways to eat into the profits a healthy farm can generate, these astronomical costs point towards an investment in securing your property.
With farm security guards offering welcome reassurance and protection against rustlers, you’re able to focus on what matters most to your agricultural enterprise. A versatile farm CCTV and alarm response service offers you an eagle-eyed overview of your property, as well as an opportunity to entrust the security of your animals to highly trained professionals.
A staple of farmyard operations for over 60 years, and a huge part of military history, the Land Rover Defender has cemented its place as one of the powerhouses of the agricultural industry.
With the advent of new vehicle technologies, like machine learning systems and cloud connectivity for updated navigation, the Defender has moved with the times and offers an accurate reflection of the modern farmer.
However, with that modernity comes an additional threat, and Land Rover theft continues to be a thorn in the side of rural business. The Farmer’s Guide shone an uncomfortable spotlight in the latter half of 2022, calling attention to a 34% rise in Defender theft over the last year.
While vehicles will always present a clear target for thieves, this data foregrounds the need for security that’s as robust as what it’s protecting. With strengthened farm perimeter security, you’re putting strong measures in place to protect what makes your business tick. Combined with innovative farm CCTV systems, you’re able to keep track of your vehicle at all times.
While fire can ravage any property, it undoubtedly poses a greater risk to those in more rural areas, particularly so on a farm. Dry summer months mean that arson, alongside accidental fires, is often a huge farmyard security concern.
Recent statistics illustrate the stark need for concern, with almost half a million reports of arson between 2022 and 2023 alone. This doesn’t take into account any unreported incidents, either, which could mean the real figure is much higher.
The most effective mitigation against the devastating loss of your property and your livelihood is a rugged farm security solution, alongside effective education.
Learning how to better fireproof your property, as well as understanding how best to combat a burning outbuilding, will ensure you’re keeping yourself and your enterprise safe. And with an all-in-one agricultural security system, you’ll be in complete control of who enters your property, with a trained security response in as little as 30 minutes for any unwanted visitors.
While rural communities can often be close-knit, there’s always the inherent risk of burglary, especially so on isolated farms.
While statistics from the ONS point towards a slow decline, these figures only paint a partial picture, as over a quarter of a million properties were affected by crimes involving breaking in 2021 alone.
This data points towards the need for securing your farm and for a better understanding of the high-tech options you have for securing your home against thieves and burglars.
While it can be easy to prioritise the safety of your livestock, it’s equally important to ensure that you and your family are secure.
Installing a bespoke farm security package, with full access control systems and panels on each entry point, is an affordable and all-encompassing solution.
With almost 30 years of experience in the world of high-quality, all-in-one security packages, Churchill offers a comprehensive security service for farms and businesses of all sizes and needs.
Ranging from high-definition farm security cameras to mobile patrols with an industry-leading 30-minute response time, we’re pioneers in the security field and are proud to serve the varied security needs of our clients.
We’re the UK’s #1 security company under the government’s Security Industry Authority, and we work tirelessly to uphold that reputation, with a completely bespoke service that’s designed to meet all your farm security requirements.
Above all, we aim to provide peace of mind and wide-reaching security for every farm we secure, and with our 24-hour-a-day service, you’ll never be far from one of our knowledgeable operatives.
