THE cost of rural crime has dropped in the South West according to figures released by NFU Mutual, with countryside crime in Somerset also down.

Nationally, rural crime cost £37.8 million in 2014, a 15 per cent drop on 2013.

The South West saw a reduction from £5.5m to approximately £5m and in Somerset the estimated cost was £1m in 2014, down on the previous year.

Superintendent Geoff Wessell, rural crime lead for Avon and Somerset Constabulary, said he was pleased there had been a drop in claims as a result of crime.

“We have been working hard with our partner agencies, neighbouring constabularies and the rural and farming communities to reduce crime and it is very encouraging to see positive results.”

Over the last 18 months the constabulary has formed a new rural crime police team and set up an independently chaired multi-agency rural crime forum to identify and tackle specific rural issues.

The force has also invested in new rural crime training for frontline officers and communications staff.

Mr Wessell said: “Thieves are still targeting particular items including tools, all-terrain vehicles such as quad-bikes, machinery and most recently livestock and we are running on-going and specialist rural crime operations to tackle these specific issues.

“We are also alive to the fact that rural crime is ever changing – there are seasonal crime trends and like other industries and areas, there also new crimes that occur with the development of new technology such as the loss of solar panels.

“That said, there are lots of positive new developments in crime prevention equipment including initiatives aimed at reducing livestock theft and tracking equipment for agricultural vehicles.

“These are having a positive impact and we are seeing success in both prevention and detection.”