Task force will tackle all types of rural crime

A national multi-agency rural crime prevention steering group is to spear-head collaborative efforts to reduce opportunities for offenders and an action plan has been put in place to mitigate the threat from crime in Scotland’s rural towns and villages

According to NFU Mutual, crime is costing rural communities an estimated £1.9 million a year.

Assistant Chief Constable Derek Robertson, Police Scotland’s Rural Crime lead, said: “Crime in rural Scotland can range from theft of agricultural machinery, vehicles, tools, livestock or fuel through to fire raising, housebreaking and vandalism.

“It can be perpetrated by opportunists or organised groups of criminals who travel the countryside specifically targeting rural locations.”

The first meeting of the national steering group will take place at the end this month.

For more on this, pick up a copy of this week’s Carluke Gazette.