RURAL crime cost businesses in Lancashire £1.4 million last year, according to a new survey.

Research by NFU Mutual insurers shows that all-terrain vehicles such as quad-bikes, agricultural tools and livestock are top of thieves’ hit-lists.

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Solar panels are now also regularly targeted, and as a reflection of the changing nature of criminal activity, cyber-crime is a growing problem in countryside communities.

NFU Mutual’s annual Rural Crime Survey shows, however, that criminal activity in the Lancashire countryside has fallen from £1.7m in 2013.

A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: “Rural crime can be very costly and can have a devastating impact on its victims and their livelihoods.

“While it has decreased in Lancashire, we remain committed to working collaboratively with our partners in order to tackle rural crime effectively.

"Partnership working is key in detecting and preventing rural crimes and our Livestock Theft Prevention Initiative, which has been recognised nationally, is one example of how we have recently worked alongside the National Farmers Union, NFU Mutual and other partners to take positive action to fight rural crime.

“We will continue to work closely with rural communities and farming associations to tackle this type of crime and we would always urge people to work with us to help reduce rural crime by remaining vigilant and reporting anything suspicious to us.”

Nick Murphy, the insurer’s senior agent in Lancashire, said: “ While today’s survey contains some good news, it also highlights the need for rural communities to be vigilant and put security at the forefront of their minds.”