Countryside Unites Against Rural Crime

• Author: Mr Hamish Lean
• Law Firm: Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP
• Published date: 02 October 2023

This article discusses the impact of criminal activity in the rural world, as outlined in the Rural Crime Report, and offers methods of prevention against such crime.

Comments on the NFU Rural Crime Report 2023

Rural crime is often an overlooked area in crime prevention.

Crime statistics in rural areas have increased considerably throughout the UK in recent years.

The recently published Rural Crime Report by the National Farmers Union revealed that rural crime cost the UK '49.5 million in 2022 - a 22.1% increase on the previous year.

With that being said, Scotland saw a decrease in figures as the Report revealed a near fifty per cent reduction in rural crime since 2021, costing '1.4 million, a fall from '2.6 million in 2021.

Despite this, the figures are still staggering and rural crime continues to blight Scotland's countryside.

Trends and markets for criminal activity

The extent of rural crime has changed significantly.

Long gone are the days of 'skilled opportunists', instead organised crime gangs are more likely to be the perpetrators.

As inflation...