Responding to the report, the Upper Bann MP said:

“A 51% increase in the cost of rural crime from last year is a staggering rise, and one that will undoubtedly cause alarm to farmers across Northern Ireland. It will be an added concern at a time when there are already all too many challenges to face.

The question is how can this increase in rural crime be combatted effectively? There is a challenge here for farmers, to do that bit more to make their farms and farm assets more secure. However, whilst some measures can be basic with no cost attached, some of the more effective measures such as CCTV or trackers, can be costly, and this is at a time when many farmers are facing challenging market conditions.

Of course it is also vital that when farmers are doing their bit, so too are the PSNI. We have seen question marks over policing numbers emerge in recent weeks, and it is a real concern that the impact of any reduction would be a less visible police presence in our rural communities. That would be unacceptable.

We need a collaborative approach to tackling this problem, that combines awareness, prevention and enforcement, and I would urge all stakeholders to approach this matter in this way.”