Police issue security advice after spate of rural break-ins

Officers from Police Scotland’s Tayside Division have urged residents in rural areas of east Perthshire to think about the security of their homes, sheds, garages and outbuildings following a number of crimes in the region over the last few weeks.

Speaking at the most recent meeting of Blairgowrie and Rattray Community Council, held last week in the Adult Resource Centre in Jessie Street, Blairgowrie-based officers said that rural break-ins had been the most predominant issue in the area in the last month.

Sometime between 12.30pm on Saturday, July 1 and noon on Monday, July 3, a black Volkswagen Transporter van, registration SM14 TCJ, was stolen from a farm shed in the Bendochy area of Coupar Angus.

An Ifor Williams Trailer, along with four silver alloy wheels, was stolen from a farm shed in the Collace area between noon on Sunday, July 2 and 7.15am on Wednesday, July 5.

Also in the Collace area, between 5pm on Tuesday, July 4, and 8.15am on Wednesday, July 5, a quantity of tools and electrical equipment were stolen from a farm shed.

Officers would like to remind people of the importance of taking simple crime prevention measures at all times of the day, and also of the role they can play in keeping an eye out for suspicious activity in their area.

Such measures include ensuring that properties and outbuildings are secure, using British Standard locks and high security closedshackle padlocks, and never leaving sheds, garages or outbuildings unlocked.

Doors and windows should also be locked with the keys removed and kept out of visible reach, and property owners should consider fitting intruder alarms, CCTV and outside security lighting, and security marking all equipment.

Residents can be kept up-todate by email about local incidents, issues and crimes by signing up to www.pkcommunitywatch.co.uk/

Further information can be found at www.scotland.police.uk/ keep-safe/home-and-personalproperty/rural-crime