Police in Edinburgh are inviting the public to attend a rural crime prevention event in the West of the City on Saturday.
Officers and partners will be hosting the event at the Visitors Centre near Harlaw Reservoir between 10.30am and 2pm.
PC Ali Murdoch, Balerno Ward Officer, said: “With the better weather, we tend to see an increase in rural crime and it’s vital that we work with our communities and partners to tackle this.
“Representatives of the Preventions, Interventions & Partnerships (PIP) Team and Edinburgh’s Wildlife Liaison Officer will be hosting stalls and demonstrations to promote safety on rural lands.
“Not only do we want to encourage members of our rural communities to attend, but I’d also urge people who visit the countryside to come along.
“We want people to have the knowledge and confidence to help prevent and recognise criminal activity, enjoy the outdoors safely and to consider local wildlife and surroundings.”
The Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, City of Edinburgh Council, NFU Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage will also be on-hand to offer advice.
Group Manager David Girrity of the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service said: “Farms are particularly vulnerable to wilful fire-raising with their isolated location, open boundaries, readily ignitable hay and straw stacks often making them easy targets.
“Livestock, farmland, wildlife, protected woodland and sites of special scientific interest can all be devastated by these fires, as can the lives of people living and working in rural communities.
“By taking simple fire safety precautions like making sure fuels are stored in secure areas and storage tank outlets padlocked, these fires can be prevented.”
A Scottish Natural Heritage spokesperson said: “We are active members of the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime Scotland (PAW Scotland) and we recognise that wildlife crime (particularly poaching) and other forms of rural crime often go hand-in-hand.
“We support Police Scotland in this initiative and will be on hand to help raise awareness of both wildlife crime and responsible access to the countryside.”
