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Seòmar agus comataidhean

Tackling the Rise in Rural Crime and Equipment Theft in Scotland

  • Submitted by: Rachael Hamilton, Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party.
  • Date lodged: Monday, 03 February 2025
  • Motion reference: S6M-16304
  • Current status: Taken in the Chamber on Wednesday, 19 February 2025

That the Parliament acknowledges the reported concerns regarding rising rural crime and its impact on communities across Scotland, including in the Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire constituency; notes that, according to NFU Mutual, the cost of rural crime in Scotland increased by 34.9% between 2022 and 2023, rising from £1.4 million to £1.8 million, contributing to a UK-wide cost of £58.8 million; recognises that 91% of those surveyed by NFU Mutual believe that rural crime is becoming more organised; notes that equipment and machinery theft, including agricultural machinery, construction equipment and power tools, has a significant financial and operational impact on farmers and businesses across urban and rural Scotland; acknowledges what it considers the effectiveness of technical preventative measures such as the CESAR scheme, tracking devices, immobilisers, PIN-protected GPS systems, and mechanical immobilisers, which it understands are more widely used in other parts of the UK; understands that the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023 was passed with cross-party support in the UK Parliament to address these issues; notes the belief that there is an opportunity to strengthen equipment and machinery crime prevention in Scotland, and further notes the calls on the Scottish Government to engage with industry experts, Police Scotland and victims to explore further action to tackle this type of crime.


Supported by: Jeremy Balfour, Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett (Registered interest) , Sharon Dowey, Tim Eagle (Registered interest) , Russell Findlay, Murdo Fraser, Maurice Golden, Pam Gosal, Jamie Greene, Dr. Sandesh Gulhane, Craig Hoy, Stephen Kerr, Ben Macpherson, Roz McCall, Edward Mountain, Douglas Ross, Alexander Stewart, Sue Webber, Annie Wells, Tess White, Brian Whittle