Rural crime cost rises
Politicians are concerned over rural Stirling’s vulnerability to crime as the coronavirus pandemic continues.
Stirling MP Alyn Smith and MSP Bruce Crawford were commenting after insurance company NFU Mutual highlighted rural crime in a new report showing that the cost of rural crime in Scotland had risen in recent years.
NFU Mutual had also pointed out that while rural crime had fallen during the first months of the pandemic there were signs it was on the rise again.
Mr Smith and Mr Crawford said from conversations they have had with farmers in the Stirling area, livestock and equipment theft, alongside fly tipping and dog attacks on farm animals are ongoing issues. They also wrote to Forth Valley Police Scotland divisonal commander chief superintendent Alan Gibson this week to point to increasing casework involving rural crime.
Mr Smith said:“rural crime is real, and Covid-19 has brought into sharp focus the ongoing challenges such communities can face.
“I’ll be liaising with local residents and colleagues in other public agencies to ensure farmers, businesses and rural communities can work effectively to tackle rural crime and prevent its growth, especially as the economic impact of coronavirus begins to unfold.”
Mr Crawford added:“rural communities and businesses are a crucial part of Stirling’s local economy. The coronavirus pandemic has presented unique pressures, no less from the increased visitor numbers we’ve seen.
“I look forward to working with colleagues within Stirling Council, Police Scotland and other public agencies to ensure our rural communities remain safe and well during the Covid-19 health crisis, and rural crimes are tackled.”
NFU Mutual’s report published this week showed a 44 per cent increase in the cost of rural crime in Scotland in 2019 to £2.3m.
NFU Mutual regional manager for Scotland, Mark Mcbrearty also pointed out:“nfu Mutual’s provisional theft claims data for the first half of 2020 indicates that while rural theft fell overall during the early part of pandemic lockdown, we’re now seeing signs that thieves are becoming more active again.
“Closed local authority tips contributed to huge increase in fly tipping on Scotland’s farms – and an influx of walkers has led to dog attacks on livestock. This is very worrying following the success of the campaign to encourage dog walkers to control their pets on farmland.”
Inspector Alan Dron, who co-ordinates the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime (SPARC), said:“in April 2019, SPARC published Scotland’s first rural crime strategy which provides a clear focus on tackling serious organised crime. “This template enables all territorial policing divisions across the country to model their local rural crime partnerships with the same structure and thus create a more cohesive, professional and tangible approach.”