Across West Yorkshire’s rural communities, crime is becoming an increasing concern. Fuel theft and agricultural machinery theft cost millions of pounds every year, with rural crime on the whole costing the UK £44.1 million in 2024.
Organised criminal activity continues to put pressure on agricultural communities. James Haigh, a farmer from Wakefield, was recently burgled, he said “it’s just worrying, you don’t know if they’re going to come at night time into the house.”
Police forces across the region have reported growing concerns about rural crime, with thieves often targeting fuel tanks due to rising diesel costs.
For many farmers, the losses go beyond stolen fuel. Damaged gates, broken locks and vandalised machinery can have a major impact during already difficult economic times.
Police say that rural crime is becoming increasingly organised, with groups travelling across county lines and targeting isolated properties where they are less likely to be disturbed.
Farmers are being encouraged to improve security measures to deter criminals, including installing CCTV, fitting tracking devices to machinery and securing fuel tankers. Reporting suspicious activity is also being highlighted as a key way for communities to protect themselves.
But many in the farming community remain afraid, particularly families living in remote homes attached to farms.
As fuel prices and financial pressures continue to affect both businesses and households, concerns are growing that rural communities could remain a target for opportunistic and organised criminals.
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