NFU Mutual's own claims figures have revealed a 14.7% increase in thefts from homes in the UK countryside in 2008. One of the trends behind the increase was a nationwide epidemic of thefts from domestic central heating oil tanks as price rises made oil a valuable commodity.
"There is widespread concern in the countryside that the recession will lead to a crime wave," said NFU Spokesman Tim Price.
"We have seen sharp increases in rural crime in previous economic downturns - and are concerned that these worrying figures could mark the first evidence of a new rural crime wave."
NFU Mutual's concerns are shared by rural police forces. Figures recently gathered under the Freedom of Information Act showed almost two-thirds of the police forces surveyed in England and Wales showed a rise in robberies in the past three months, compared to the same period in the previous year. The impact has been most acute in rural areas, where there has been a 17.5% rise in violent thefts.
Tim Price has urged country dwellers to take a look at the impression their home made to would-be opportunist thieves and to make sure it appeared that security was a high priority.
"If opportunist thieves see gates, floodlights and possible CCTV cameras there's a good chance they will keep going in search of easier pickings elsewhere. On the home itself, decent locks on doors and windows and a burglar alarm are also effective deterrents."
He also advised country people to check that the contents of their garages, outbuildings and gardens were covered by their home insurance.
