Joint effort is cutting thefts from farms

An interesting aspect of our local policing area is that it is extremely diverse.

Many of the crimes and incidents that feature in this article relate to town centres and busy residential areas but over the years a significant amount of our work relates to the rural areas in the sub-division, particularly in relation to thefts from farm land, often due to criminals viewing these locations as being an easy target.

As a result closer partnership working has taken place between farmers and the police, which has resulted in regular structured meetings for us to share information and to put measures in place to help protect farmland.

This approach is replicated across the country and it is pleasing to see that the latest figures show that the cost of tractor and quad theft in Scotland has fallen by 40 per cent.

This hopefully demonstrates that these rural areas are no longer a soft target for criminals and also demonstrates the importance for us to work together to address local issues.

Moving on to matters from over the last week.

We have had further sneak-in thefts to dwelling houses. Overnight on Wednesday, July 26 to Thursday, July 27 at Oakbank Crescent, Uddingston, a BMW was stolen after the suspects stole the key from the house.

We had a similar crime overnight between Tuesday, August 1 and Wednesday, August 2 to a house at Stirling Drive, Hamilton.

We have had fraudulent bank notes passed within the area.

Three premises, including a pharmacist in Larkhall, received a fake Bank of Ulster £50 note from a customer.

In terms of significant arrests, we have arrested a 40 year-old man in relation to a number of thefts from houses in the Stonehouse area.

Officers also searched a property in Whitehill Road, Hamilton under misuse of drugs act legislation where an alleged cannabis cultivation was discovered.

A 28 year-old man has been reported to the procurator fiscal in relation to this.

We continue to listen to our communities in terms of anti-social behaviour and we adjust our proactive patrols to provide public re-assurance and to impact on the behaviour of those responsible for the disorder.

This has resulted in recent arrests, including around Hamilton Town Centre.

When it involves juveniles we share the information with social work and work in partnership with a view to measures in place aimed at having a long-term influence.

If you have any information you feel should be reported please contact the police using 101, or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.