Thefts from farms in Scotland have risen 67% in the last two years, according to rural insurer NFU Mutual.

"Agri-crime" cost £1.4m in 2010, the BBC reported.

The most popular items stolen were small power tools such as chainsaws, electric drills and lawnmowers.

Most of the thefts took place after midnight, with farm outbuildings being targetet, according to the NFU Mutual Rural Crime Survey.

The insurer highlighted the difficulty of policing sparsely populated areas was a major factor in the increasing problem of theft.

Robin Gawn, NFU Mutual's agent in Perth, said: "People living and working in rural areas of Scotland need to be vigilant and keep working with police and local communities to help fight rural crime.

"It is all about taking small steps to make life much harder for rural criminals. Making outbuildings more secure is an effective deterrent."

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