VICTIMS of rural crime have called for the public to up their personal security and the police to get their act together after it was revealed the cost of thefts rose to almost £750,000 last year.

Thefts of farm tools, garden equipment and quad bikes cost almost three quarter of a million pounds in insurance claims last year - a 16 per cent rise compared to 2014, according to statistics released by insurance company NFU Mutual.

Rural businesses targeted by thieves said it was down to the public to increase their own security.

Turney Groundforce, based in Weston-on-the-Green, had a variety of agricultural machinery was stolen, including chainsaws and hedge trimmers stolen following a break-in last year.

Domestic sales manager Mike Stone said that although the company had not been targeted since, the problem was getting worse.

He said: "It has always been a problem in Oxfordshire but every other week now one of our customers will ring up and say they have had something stolen.

"All we can do is advise them on security matters - we do sell siren alarms for vehicles and we suggest that and that they make sure any sheds or garages are secure.

"It's a difficult one for the police to deal, if somebody wants to steal something they will most likely be able to break in and take it anyway."

Thames Valley Police confirmed that there was a 21 per cent rise in the reporting of rural crimes in 2015 but said the rise was down to "increased public confidence" in its policing.

Earlier this year Paul and Richard Newport had £80,000 worth of tools stolen from their warehouse in Steventon.

The brothers said PCSOs arrived at the scene ten hours after they first reported it.

The company, which wasn't insured, has since closed down and Paul's wife Elizabeth said inactivity from the police would only encourage criminals.

She said: "They will only try to do what they think they can get away with.

"For organised criminals it seems too easy, they can just drive across a field and take something and there are so many rural estates in Oxfordshire.

"In my husband's case it didn't seem like the police even investigated the break-in at all and they haven't caught anyone."

She added: "Another company near us fortunately did have insurance but I worry whether they will be able to next year as it would become so expensive after a claim."

NFU Mutual agent in Oxfordshire Harvey Merrins said high-tech security measures were being adopted by farmers and police but that criminals remained were also upping their game.

He said: "It is disappointing to see levels of rural crime rising in Oxfordshire.

"Rural thieves are becoming increasingly sophisticated and using computers rather than bolt cutters to steal from farms and country properties."

Inspector Andy Thompson of Thames Valley Police said: "Rural crime remains a priority for the police and the Police Crime Commissioner and we understand the impact rural crime has on our communities and the livelihood of those affected."