RURAL crime cost Lancashire £1.3 million last year according, it has been revealed.

But the figure has dropped by around 40 per cent, down from £2.1m in 2015, while the cost was £1.8m in 2014.

UK statistics show the cost of rural crime in the last year is now an estimated £39.2m.

According to the rural insurer NFU Mutual, the items most commonly targeted by thieves across Lancashire are ATV and quad bikes, 4x4s and livestock.

Data also showed the county was the eighth worst affected county by the cost of rural crime in the UK.

The figures form part of NFU Mutual’s annual Rural Crime Report, published today, revealing that despite the UK seeing a 4 per cent drop last year, the cost of rural theft has risen sharply in the first half of 2017 by 20 per cent.

Lancashire Police’s wildlife officer, PC Nigel Keates, said the figures did not reflect the entire extent of rural crime in the area.

PC Keates said: "Rural crime, especially involving more minor cases, tends to be under-reported as some of the farming community may be reluctant to report this as they may feel that nothing will be done.

"We want to change this and would encourage anyone who has been a victim of rural crime to come forward.

"It is good news to see a drop in the cost of rural crime, but the figure is still too much and we need to continue to work to reduce this.

"All the items listed in the report are also commonly targeted by thieves in Lancashire, while you get cattle thefts in Ribble Valley and more thefts involving sheep in Pendle, and stealing fuel is also very common.

"The rural crime team is working closely with police to clamp down on rural crime, with funding also received from the police and crime commissioner to data tag 4x4 vehicles with a security system."

Jo Oliver, NFU Mutual's senior agent in the county, said: “Although the figures for rural crime in Lancashire are down, countryside criminals continue to become more brazen and farmers are now having to continually increase security and adopt new ways of protecting their equipment.

“In some parts of the county, farmers are having to turn their farmyards into fortresses to protect themselves from repeated thieves who are targeting quads, tractors and power tools. They are using tracking devices on tractors, video and infra-red surveillance in their farm yards and even DNA markers to protect sheep from rustlers.”

The NFU report reveals that being ‘staked out’ was the biggest worry for country people, followed closely by longer police response times in rural areas.

Criminals continue to target Land Rover Defenders, quad bikes, tractors, tools and livestock despite increased security on farms, according to the rural insurer.

For more information and advice on how to beat rural crime in your area download the report at www.nfumutual.co.uk/ruralcrime

Anyone who witnesses rural crime is urged to contact police on 101 or the neighbourhood policing team in their area.