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Rural crime cost the north £2.2 million last year, according to the NFU Mutual Rural Crime Report. Newry and Armagh MLA Aoife Finnegan has called for greater resources and a stronger partnership response to protect farming families and rural communities.
The NFU Mutual report recorded a 24% rise in the financial cost of rural crime in the north during 2025, even as costs fell elsewhere in Britain.
Finnegan said that while some figures point to a reduction in recorded incidents, the true financial impact continues to grow.
"Rural crime continues to have a serious impact on farmers, their families and wider rural communities. While it is welcome that some figures show a reduction in recorded incidents, the latest NFU Mutual report highlights the growing financial cost of crime in our rural areas and serves as a reminder that this remains a very real concern for people living and working in constituencies such as Newry and Armagh."
She said theft, vandalism and other criminal activity places a heavy financial and emotional burden on farming households, and has wider consequences for the sense of safety felt within rural communities.
"Farmers are already facing significant pressures and the additional burden caused by theft, vandalism and other criminal activity can have devastating financial and emotional consequences. These crimes affect not only individual farm businesses but also the wider sense of safety and security within rural communities."
The MLA said effective partnership working is central to tackling the problem, pointing to the role of the PSNI, government departments and rural organisations.
"Partnership working between the PSNI, government departments and rural organisations is crucial to addressing the challenges facing our rural communities. We must continue to ensure that rural areas receive the attention and resources needed to keep communities safe and protect livelihoods."
Cllr Finnegan has welcomed efforts by the Rural Crime Partnership and the Ulster Farmers' Union to raise awareness, stressing that reporting incidents remains critical to ensure policing resources are directed where they are most needed.
"I welcome the work being undertaken by the Rural Crime Partnership, the Ulster Farmers' Union and all those working to raise awareness of this issue. It is vital that incidents are reported so that policing resources can be allocated effectively and the true scale of rural crime is properly understood."
She said she will continue to engage with the Department of Justice, DAERA, the PSNI and relevant agencies to keep rural crime on the political agenda.
"Rural communities deserve to feel safe, supported and protected." she added.
