Rural Crime in the UK & ROI 2020 to 2023 comparison
Kynetec NFRU – Rural Crime Poll June 2023
Rural Crime on the rise in some parts of the UK
Rural crime experienced in the last 12 months, in 2020
The NFRU polled farmers in 2020 and 2023 to ask them about their experiences with rural crime on their farm in the past 12 months. The data suggests that rural crime is on the rise across the Southern and Eastern regions of the UK, with noticeable increases experienced in the South East (+5%) and South West (+ 9%) in the last 12 months. Other areas to face an increase include the North East and Yorkshire.
Northern Ireland has also experienced its own share of increased rural crime in the past 12 months with a 6% increase.
Areas that have been fortunate to experience less rural crime in the last 12 months compared to when the poll was last conducted in 2020 include both the East and West Midlands, Wales and the North West, as well as the Republic of Ireland.
Qpoll: When was the farm last the victim of rural crime? (answers taken from those experiencing crime in the last 12 months)
Rural crime experienced in the last 12 months, in 2023
Nearly a ¼ of farmers in England say they have experienced rural crime in the last 12 months, with only 30% saying they have never experienced rural crime
Farmers in Wales and the Republic of Ireland have experienced the lowest levels of rural crime
Qpoll: When was the farm last the victim of rural crime?
Rural crime is on the rise across the UK & ROI, with 12% less farmers stating they have never experienced rural crime on their farm, and 3% more farmers having experienced rural crime in the last 6 months compared to 2020
Rural crime in the UK & ROI, between 2020 and 2023
Qpoll: When was the farm last the victim of rural crime?
Tree planting and Carbon Schemes
Kynetec NFRU – Tree planting and Carbon Scheme Poll July 2023
The National Farm Research Unit asked 980 Farmers how many trees they have planted in the past 5 years, and how many trees they will plant in the next 5 years.
Tree planting intentions vary by region throughout the UK and ROI. The biggest increase noted in the Eastern region, the biggest reduction in Wales.
Trees planted in the last 5 years
15% of the sample of farmers didn’t know how many trees they had planted
Trees planted in the last 5 years | Trees that will be planted in the next 5 years |
>500 < 1,000 |
>500 < 1,000 |
>250 < 500 |
>250 < 500 |
>100 < 250 |
>100 < 250 |
<100 |
<100 |
NB: Figures featured on the heat map are the mean number of trees planted per region excluding ‘Don’t know’ and ‘Not sure how many’
East Anglia sees the highest level of intended tree planting in the next 5 years, followed by Yorkshire. Those planting the least include Northern Ireland and the North West.
Intention to plant trees in the next 5 years
37% of the sample of farmers are undecided on how many trees they will plant
Base: All respondents 980
Qpoll: How many trees have you planted in the past 5 years? How many trees will you plant in the next 5 years?
Awareness of Carbon Credit Schemes is highest in England compared to the rest of the UK & ROI, however, membership take up is extremely low in all countries and regions
Base: All respondents 980
Qpoll: Which of the following carbon credit schemes are you aware of? Which of the following carbon credit schemes are you a member of?
National Farm Research Donations
Cumulative Donations since Oct 2018 | |
RABI | £12,054.15 |
RSABI | £1,466.01 |
Forage Aid | £8,224.86 |
Farming Community Network | £4,902.65 |
Rural Support NI | £523.80 |
Embrace Farm | 4,136.50€ |
Our Support for Farmers
Farmers participating in our on-going research studies can gain valuable BASIS and NRoSO points. Simply give your BASIS number to our interviewer when they call to update your record. To claim your NRoSO points please log onto the website and enter code NO471443f
This code is valid for 12 months from the 1st September 2023
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