- More than two-thirds of rural retailers (67%) have suffered from crime in last 12 months, NFU Mutual research shows
- Laceys Farm Shop one of many across the UK to be targeted by thieves
- NFU Mutual issues advice to try and prevent crime and protect retailers
“They knew what they were doing, and you feel vulnerable.”
Those are the words of Will Lacey, sure to be echoing many working in farm shops up and down the country who have suffered at the hands of criminals.
Will helps manage and run Laceys Farm Shop in Buckinghamshire, which was set up in 2016 on a seventh-generation farm in the south of the county.
“It’s a working family farm with my dad, uncle, brother and I,” said Will. “I joined the business in 2010 and the ambition was always to open a farm shop. We run the farm, alongside the farm shop business.
“It’s a different challenge to farming. When it goes well it’s great – but as with any business there are challenges.”
And the worst happened in April last year, when the farm shop was broken into overnight by thieves, smashing windows, stealing the cash drawers, and damaging CCTV, tills and computers.
New research from NFU Mutual highlights the scale of the issue at hand. Of those surveyed, more than two-thirds of rural retailers suffered from retail crime in the last 12 months alone – and half of those said they had been hit more than three times in that time.
“They knew what they were doing,” said Will. “They went in, smashed the window and got what they wanted. They knew what they were looking for, they had a plan and did it very quickly and precisely.
“It left us feeling extremely frustrated and you feel vulnerable as it’s all on your land, your home and your livelihood. The yard is locked, the shop is locked, and security was in place – there was not much more we could do so it’s incredibly frustrating.”
The 37-year-old said they have since upgraded the CCTV system, have alarms in place and a change to the gateway entrance. Those tweaks tally with the theme across the UK as NFU Mutual’s research shows that more than half of those working in rural retail (53 per cent) have taken security measures to protect themselves in the last 12 months. That includes a variety of protection, with CCTV, security tagging, sensors, alarms, physical security and bodycams all used.
These preventative measures come as almost three quarters (73 per cent) of rural retailers surveyed say they believe crime has increased over the last 12 months, prompting a warning from insurer NFU Mutual for farm shops to take steps as best they can to deter criminals.
Zoe Knight, Head of Commercial at NFU Mutual, said: “Our research shows a worrying number of rural retailers are unfortunately falling victim to crime and we would urge farm shop owners to stay vigilant to protect their stock, staff and premises.
“We have seen businesses make huge efforts to feel protected from crime, with both technological and physical security put in place – while we work closely with our risk management specialists to try and reduce the threat of other shops becoming victims.
“Farm shops have sadly been targeted in the past due to their remote locations, so it’s vital owners take all necessary and appropriate preventative steps to try and deter thieves.”
