The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Opportunist thefts are costing farmers dear
Farmers urged to carry out security checks and join watch schemes
Brazen criminal gangs are cutting a swathe through Scotland’s farms stealing ever increasing amounts of livestock and machinery.
New figures estimate rural crime cost Scotland £1.6 million last year – up 62% compared to 2017 – and farmers are being warned thieves will seize upon any opportunity they are given.
Rural insurer NFU Mutual is urging farmers and those who live in the country to join forces with police and carry out pre-winter security checks to halt them.
The company’s warnings come as the National Police Chiefs’ Council launches its Wildlife and Rural Crime Week of Action, which runs from October 6-13.
“Crime is now a major concern to Scotland’s rural communities,” said NFU Mutual manager for Scotland, Martin Malone.
“There is still a perception among criminals that there are easy targets in the countryside but farmers and homeowners can do a lot to deter thieves by taking simple security measures.
“While today’s new breed of brazen gangs are increasingly staking out farms and operating in broad daylight, criminals will still seize the opportunity to work under the cover of darkness to prevent themselves being identified at this time of year.”
He said the police’s week of action,
Farmers can do a lot to deter thieves by taking simple security measures. MARTIN MALONE, OF NFU MUTUAL
which starts tomorrow, served as a good reminder to farmers to carry out some pre-winter security checks.
“Country people can also play their part to reduce rural crime by joining rural watch schemes to share suspicious sightings with local farmers, the rural community and police,” added Mr Malone.
As winter is fast approaching, NFU Mutual is recommending that farmers go to the nearest road to their property and look at their farm from a criminal’s point of view.
They have also issued a check list urging people to test whether locks, alarms, security lights and other security measures are in place and working correctly.