Raising awareness of the cost of rural crime
Date of alert:
Friday 18 March 2022
Crime Ref:
Force:
Police Scotland
South Scotland list MSP Emma Harper joined Police Scotland and Scottish Land and Estates at Wallet Mart Agricultural Auction in Castle Douglas to raise awareness of rural crime and her livestock worrying act which is now in force.
Leading agricultural insurer NFU Mutual’s most recent Rural Crime Survey estimated that criminal activity cost those living in Scotland’s countryside around £1.9m in 2020.
The most common items stolen over the last 12 months were quad bikes, tools and fuel such as domestic heating oil and ‘red’ diesel.
Although high-value thefts of machinery such as tractors may be planned and highly organised, the number of stolen tools, gates and wire indicates opportunist thieves continue to operate.
NFU Mutual has also identified livestock rustling as a pressing issue.
As well as the important issue of rural crime, Ms Harper was also able to discuss the issue of livestock worrying with the farmers present and was able to raise awareness that her Dogs: (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Act is now in force.
