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A new partnership dedicated to tackling rural crime in the North East and improving
safety in remote communities has been launched.
The North East Scotland Rural Crime & Safety Partnership is comprised of more than
20 partners involved in rural affairs who have pledged a commitment to sharing their
knowledge, experience and expertise to tackle the issues that impact rural and remote
areas the most and the people who live and work in them.
The group will bring together senior representatives from organisations and stakeholders
including Police Scotland, Food Standards Agency, the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency,
the National Farmers Union and the SSPCA, focusing on areas including road safety,
acquisitive crime, agricultural safety, live-stock worrying and hare-coursing.
Superintendent Murray Main from Police Scotland's North East Division, and chair of the new Partnership, said:
"There are many benefits to living, working and investing in the North East and
we should be justifiably proud of our rural and beautiful countryside and coastal areas.
"I am also glad that the North East is one of the safest areas of the United
Kingdom however we know that the impact of crime is often greater on victims in rural
areas due to their remote and isolated locations, making them feel more vulnerable and
concerned. This is why we need to work with partners, residents and businesses to keep
people safe and ensure property is protected.
"It is important we collectively listen, understand and respond to what matters
the most to our communities whether they are city, urban, rural or remote. The standard
of policing for example cannot and will not be defined by location but must be agile enough to adapt to different locations.
"Moving forward our strategy will detail the prevention, intelligence, enforcement
and reassurance measures we can take collectively to reduce crime by all the partners
sharing their knowledge, experience and resources. There are still too many serious
incidents on our road networks and we need to work closer with rural communities to
tackle issues like agricultural safety, acquisitive crime and livestock worrying.
"I am very proud and pleased to be launching this partnership - by working together
we can protect the most vulnerable and work hard to help those in rural communities who need additional support."
Aberdeenshire Councillor Anne Stirling, Chair of Communities, said:
"The safety and well-being of people living and working in rural and remote communities
is paramount which is why I welcome the launch of the North East Scotland Rural Crime & Safety
Partnership today in conjunction with Police Scotland and many other partners. The expertise
and willingness of everyone involved to play their part in making the region an even safer
place to live will safeguard our communities for years to come."
Original Message Sent By
Darren Mills (Safer Communities, North East Division, Police Scotland
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