Police alert after rise in rural thefts
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POLICE are urging north-east rural communities to be watchful after a rise in thefts from farms elsewhere in Scotland.
Police Scotland also warned that they have seen an increase in thefts from wound-down construction sites during the lockdown.
North-east crime reduction officer Mike Urquhart said: "Although the following crime trend has not been reported within our area, I would like to raise awareness to our rural communities.
"Nationally there is around a 40% reduction in the theft of cars since the Covid-19 lockdown. But the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service has identified an upward trend in the theft of agricultural machinery, off-road quads, all-terrain vehicles, trailers and plant machinery."
He added: "With the construction industry winding down, some sites placed on full closure, and with the farming industry working with reduced numbers of staff and machinery not in use we are finding these are targets for theft.
"The use of low-loaders and vans to conceal smaller plant equipment is also prevalent and is commonly used for the theft of smaller machinery such as mini-diggers, dumpers, generators and road rollers."
Constable Urquhart asked rural communities to stay vigilant and to report any concerns to police immediately.
Visit http://ow.ly/dYbK50ziYtP for rural crime prevention advice.
