The cost of rural crime in Norfolk fell by an estimated 59pc last year - bucking a national upward trend driven by increasingly organised thefts of hi-tech farming gear.

A new report by rural insurer NFU Mutual reveals that rural crime cost the UK an estimated £52.8m in 2023, up from £50.6m the previous year.

In the East of England, there was an 8.4pc rise, from £6.6m in 2022 to £7.1m.

But although the figure fell in Norfolk, the firm warned that the "increasing organisation and sophistication of criminals" has seen thieves targeting high-value equipment across the countryside.

Claims for global positioning system (GPS) units on farm machinery across the UK rocketed by 137pc to an estimated £4.2m, says the report.

The high-tech equipment, typically costing more than £10,000 per unit, is used to guide tractors and combine harvesters, so thefts can cause severe delays and disruption to harvesting and cultivating work.

Quad bikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) were also top targets for rural thieves, said NFU Mutual.

Patrick Verrell, farming agent for the firm's North and West Norfolk Agency based in Swaffham, said: "Although we’ve seen a fall in the cost of rural crime in Norfolk, all the indications suggest rural crime is becoming more organised, sophisticated and determined in its nature, which is incredibly alarming for people who live and work in the countryside.

"While the overall cost of agricultural vehicle theft fell, thanks to co-ordinated efforts, it is concerning to see the value of GPS and ATV thefts continue to rise, with thieves turning to technology to scope out locations.

"Intelligence highlights these criminals often target several farms in one night before moving locations, then return weeks later looking to steal any replacements.

"As the leading rural insurer, we know the impact of rural crime goes well beyond the practicalities of farming. It’s the unnerving feeling that criminals have boldly staked out and targeted farmyards and fields, often a few feet from the family home.

"That is why it’s so important for insurers, farmers, manufacturers, police and politicians to continue to work together to provide a united response to the challenge presented by both organised criminals and opportunistic thieves."

Livestock theft also remained high in 2023, says the report, and farm animals worth an estimated £2.4m were severely injured or killed in dog attacks across the UK, up nearly 30pc compared to the previous year.