Organisations have joined together to tackle the blight rural crime increasingly causes for farmers in Ayrshire.
The Ayrshire Partnership Against Rural Crime (APARC) is a voluntary, grassroots partnership with representatives from NFU Scotland, NFU Mutual, Ayrshire Association of Young Farmer Clubs, Ayrshire Agricultural Association, East Ayrshire Council, South Ayrshire Council, North Ayrshire Council, Scottish Land & Estates, Forestry and Land Scotland, local agricultural machinery dealers and Scottish Government’s Rural Payments and Inspection Division.
The group will work with local representatives from Police Scotland and share out responsibilities for different rural crime priorities, including the theft of agricultural vehicles and machinery, poaching, livestock offences, heritage crime, fly-tipping, fuel theft and equestrian incidents.
These priorities tie in with the national Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime’s strategy action points, unveiled in early April.
Christine Cuthbertson, NFU Scotland regional manager for Ayrshire, said: “I have worked for some time with our police in Ayrshire to raise the increasing impact rural crime is having on our members.
“APARC will strengthen the voice of those who live and work in rural Ayrshire and will aim to ‘shut the gate’ on those involved with organised crime who target rural property as well as providing a knowledge sharing role on tackling frustrating damage such as fly-tipping and responsible access.
We want rural Ayrshire to be a safe place for everyone who lives, works or visits and this partnership working over the coming years will ensure robust steps are taken to allow this to happen.
Sergeant Alan McDowall of the North Carrick and South Carrick Locality Policing Team added: “Across Ayrshire our overall aim is to reduce rural crime.
“We continue to work with all our partners to proactively address ongoing and emerging trends in rural crime.
“We are all working towards the same goals, to deter the criminals targeting rural communities and ensure we can all live and work in a safer Ayrshire.”
