RURAL crime in Hampshire plummeted by nearly a third last year, according to new figures.

The 29 per cent drop in Hampshire in 2015 meant crime cost Hampshire £1m last year – down from £1.4m in 2014.

That drop went against the national trend where crime remained at a similar level.

Across the UK rural crime cost an estimated £42.5 million in 2015 with farm tools, quad bikes and garden equipment topping thieves’ wish lists.

The figures form part of NFU Mutual’s annual Rural Crime Report revealing that the cost of rural crime to the UK economy has now reached £42.5 million a year.

According to the leading rural insurer, the items most commonly targeted by thieves across Hampshire over the last 12 months were farm tools, quad bikes (ATVs) and garden equipment.

Patrick Govier, NFU Mutual agent in Hampshire said: “Rural thieves are becoming increasingly sophisticated and using computers rather than bolt cutters to steal from farms and properties.

“Farmers and police have been working hard to adopt high-tech security measures to tackle the problems that include: cloning tractor identities, advertising non-existent machinery in agricultural publications and stealing the GPS computer systems, a key part of modern farming.”

There has been a shift in the items being targeted at rural homes as well; in the latest survey of NFU Mutual’s agency network, the theft of garden equipment was sited as the biggest growing trend along with 4x4s.

“However, it’s reassuring to see levels of rural crime falling in Hampshire, and this reflects the huge efforts being made by anti-crime schemes throughout the countryside,” said Patrick.

The majority of NFU Mutual Agent’s surveyed (65 per cent) also reported that thieves in their area are becoming more sophisticated in the way that they operate and cyber crime is also a growing concern.

The survey also revealed that social media is now the main resource for sharing information about crime in rural communities and is a valuable tool – not only in its prevention but also for catching criminals and returning stolen goods.

Patrick added: “Our advice to people living and working in the countryside remains the same; evaluate your security measures making improvements where necessary, remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the local police but also community watch schemes.”

For details and advice on how to beat rural crime in your area visit nfumutual.co.uk/ruralcrime