Nearly 200 NFU members from across the west country were surveyed. It was found that the average financial loss per farm for each incident of crime in the south west was £3,843, with members spending an average of £1,987 on additional security precautions. One farmer commented: “Rural crime is like an additional tax on the business, as we have constantly spent money upgrading security.” Another told the NFU: “It is now impossible to grow food without people driving on crops and damaging them.” Members were also asked about any crime prevention measures introduced over the past five years and how they are working with the police to help tackle crime in the countryside.