Farm businesses are at risk of being targeted by cyber criminals, according to experts.

The warning was given at an event hosted by the Devon Young Farmers Clubs (DYFC) and run by the South West Cyber Resilience Centre with support from rural insurer NFU Mutual.

The session took place on Wednesday, November 6 at the DYFC Rural Hub in the Amory Building, Exeter.

Members of DYFC attended to learn about the threats that online criminals pose to agricultural businesses.

NFU Mutual agent Mathew Latchford, from the Barnstaple and Bideford Agency, said: "Cyber criminals are known to target small businesses which may not have all the online protections in place that are standard in larger organisations.

"Some farm businesses may fall into this category – and this event will have helped highlight the risks and suggest solutions.

"There is no doubt that online crime is a growing problem, and rural businesses need to be aware of how to protect themselves.

"NFU Mutual is delighted to support Devon Young Farmers and pleased to see the steps they are taking to provide business advice to their members."

The young farmers attending the event were given an overview of the cyber risks and their impact on farm businesses.

The most common cyber threats targeting the agricultural industry were discussed, along with tips on how to protect themselves and their businesses in the future.

Chloe Arscott, agricultural chair of DYFC, said: "Each year Devon Young Farmers puts on an agri-business programme looking at a series of topics of value to farm businesses.

"Cyber crime is an important topic, and we were pleased to host the session."

Other sessions in the programme, which runs throughout the winter, include accountancy, tax planning, farm tenancies and agricultural compliance.

Ms Arscott noted that even members who are not in farming roles can benefit from the agri-business programmes.

"We encourage all our members to attend the whole programme if they can," she said.

"Even those who are not working in farming or going into an agricultural role can benefit from the sessions and learn a lot."

She also expressed gratitude to NFU Mutual for its support in helping to stage the cyber crime event.