Tough action is needed to tackle a wave of rural crime, an MSP has demanded.
Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Douglas Ross has given his “strong support” for tougher measures to be taken against rising rates of crime in rural areas.
Mr Ross was alongside fellow rural-based Scottish Conservative MSPs at the Scottish Parliament recently to give his backing for new laws that would crackdown on the theft of equipment and machinery.
The party’s deputy leader Rachael Hamilton led a photocall outside Holyrood, where a vehicle fitted with the CESAR (Construction Equipment Security and Registration system) was in attendance, which has been hailed as a “game-changer” in the fight against thefts in rural areas.
There was also an event inside the parliament where cross-party MSPs were in attendance alongside National Farmers Union Mutual and the National Rural Crime Unit to discuss ways to stop more rural communities, farmers and business owners becoming victims of crime.
Mr Ross said that cross-party support secured the passing of the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act two years ago in the UK parliament and hopes there will be the same willingness to take similar measures to deter thieves in Scotland.
He added that Moray and the Highlands and Islands is not immune to the problem and that any thefts have a “devastating” impact on those affected.
Mr Ross continued: “The costs of crime to rural areas across Scotland is rising all the time.
“I was delighted to show my strong support for any new ways in which we can crack down on these offences and in particular the thefts of costly and vital equipment and machinery from our farms and rural businesses.
“It was great to see how new technology like the CESAR system is already proving a game-changer in the fight against rural crime but there is more to be done.
“The cross-party event hosted by my colleague Rachael Hamilton showed the strength of feeling across the Parliament about the need to toughen up current laws. We only need to look at what happened in the UK parliament two years ago when MPs came together and passed a crucial bit of legislation on preventing equipment thefts and I hope that plans can be taken forward and supported by the SNP government in Holyrood.
“Moray and the Highlands and Islands are not immune from these sorts of crimes and our farmers are facing enough challenges right now without worrying whether they are going to be victims of crime.
“Any incident has a devastating impact on those affected and I will continue to push for robust action to protect our rural areas from criminals.”
