Rural crime rises in Wales and costs the economy £2m

Tools, quad bikes and fuel were among the top targets for rural thieves areas last year.

Rural crime in Wales is on the increase and cost the economy around £2m last year, figures have shown.

NFU Mutual said the cost of these crimes was up 5% on 2012, the insurer's Rural Crime Survey said.

It said the UK-wide cost of rural crime totalled an estimated £44.5m in 2013, up 5.2% on 2012 figures, reversing the fall of the previous year.

NFU Mutual agent in Bridgend Julian Kelly said the cost of claims increased because more expensive items were being stolen.

"That's why it's important to stay vigilant and fight rural crime," he said.

"One of the rural community's best assets is its people who can work together to safeguard the local neighbourhood."