Crime travels into Clydesdale via M74

That was the joint message issued this week by both the local officers of Police Scotland and the area’s MSP Aileen Campbell as they went together ‘on the beat’ around several farms in our area as part of the current anti-rural crime operation launched a few weeks ago at Lanark Market.

The MSP, herself from a farming family, accompanied officers David Wesencraft and Richard Samson, after a briefing at Lanark Police Station, to farms in Carluke, Carmichael and Abington, commenting afterwards: “Rural crime has been raised with me by a number of my constituents and I am pleased with the reassurances I’ve received from the police that rural crime is a priority for them here in Clydesdale.

“I was impressed by how proactive David and Richard were in terms of providing information about what we can all do to help prevent crimes taking place and to make our communities safer.

“Clydesdale is a beautiful rural area to live in, but it’s also very accessible with the M74 running down its spine and a number of main trunk roads linking it to the east and west. This means that, despite the isolation, we all need to be extra vigilant and make it as difficult as possible for criminals to be successful.”

Constable Wesencraft said: “It was good to be able to show Aileen the work Police Scotland is doing to make Clydesdale safe. Preventing rural crime is an absolute priority here in Clydesdale.

“Partnership working is critical if our efforts to prevent crime are to be successful.

“I want to reach out to farmers, communities and individuals and to let them know about the things they can do to make their property safe and to reassure them that their local police take their concerns very seriously.

“I care about this area and enjoy working and living here.”