Police across the Highlands and the rest of Scotland have stepped up efforts to tackle theft, fraud and vandalism in rural communities as part of National Rural Crime Action Week.
Officers from Police Scotland’s National Rural Crime Prevention team joined local forces and partner agencies across the country to deliver hands-on support to those most at risk, including Highland farms, crofts and remote communities.
The campaign, which ran from 8 September, included in-person visits, crime prevention advice, and the distribution of SelectaDNA kits, a smart marking system used to protect valuable equipment such as quad bikes, trailers and tools.
Police in the Scottish Borders hosted a safety event in Coldstream, where local farmers were issued with DNA marking kits to help deter theft.
In Aberdeenshire, officers gathered at a farm that had recently been targeted by thieves, using the opportunity to reinforce crime prevention techniques.
Here in the Highlands, officers continue to work closely with communities affected by machinery theft, metal stripping, wildlife crime and property damage, all of which are on the rise in rural areas.
Inspector Jordan Low of Police Scotland’s National Rural, Acquisitive and Business Preventions Team said the work being done is about prevention as much as enforcement.
“Preventing, reducing and tackling rural crime is a priority for Police Scotland,” he said.
“We do this in a collaborative manner and work closely with our partners from the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime (SPARC).”
The partnership’s latest three-year strategy focuses on crime prevention, education, and intelligence-sharing, a model that’s already making a difference in remote and agricultural areas.
From crofting communities in Caithness to forestry estates in Badenoch, rural crime can have devastating impacts, both financial and emotional.
Police say National Rural Crime Action Week is a chance to shine a light on the ongoing work being done to protect these communities.
Over 100 officers across Scotland have now been trained in rural machinery theft and identification, with new handheld scanning devices in place to track stolen items and return them to their owners.
Meanwhile, targeted metal theft training is being delivered in areas where copper and cable thefts have disrupted services and caused safety concerns.
Inspector Low said the perception that rural areas are soft targets is one they’re working hard to change.
“It can be perceived that rural communities are easy targets for criminals,” he said.
“However, the work we are doing with our partners across Scotland is vital to help prevent crime and protect our rural areas.
“Be assured we will pursue offenders and take rural crime very seriously.”
With more rural prevention events planned across the Highlands this autumn, Police Scotland say continued partnership with local farmers, crofters, landowners and residents will remain key.
