by Bill Heaney
The Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime (SPARC), a multi-agency group chaired by Police Scotland, is marking its 10th anniversary in June 2026.
Over the last decade, it has worked to combat issues affecting rural communities across the country, including the theft of machinery, fuel, and livestock, fly-tipping, equine incidents, and heritage crime.
June is also the first anniversary of SPARC’s three-year strategy, which builds on the partnership work that has seen reported rural crime fall with 1,040 incidents reported in 2023/2024, 866 in 2024/2025, and 545 in 2025/2026.
Despite this, the cost of rural crime reached almost £4.3 million in 2025, up from £3.8 million in 2024.
Chief Superintendent Gregg Banks, LEFT, said, “Rural crime has a significant impact on individuals, families, businesses, and the wider community. The financial loss impacts all of those working directly in the local industry and can have far wider repercussions. The personal impact from certain crimes can be long-term and profound.
“Strong partnership working is making an impact. SPARC enables us to share information and intelligence, to proactively prevent crime, to educate the public, and ultimately bring offenders to justice.
“But we can only work with the information provided to us. While reported incidents may have fallen, we believe some crimes, such as livestock worrying and rural theft, may be under-reported.
“I want to encourage anyone with concerns or information about rural crime to get in touch with us via 101, 999 if it is an ongoing situation, or by making a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
Tom French of the National Farmers Union Scotland said, “Rural crime is not victimless. It affects livelihoods, mental well-being, animal welfare, and business confidence. NFU Scotland remains committed to working closely with partners to ensure rural communities are properly supported and that crimes affecting agriculture are taken seriously.”
Nic MacLeod, Policy and Public Affairs Adviser at Scottish Land and Estates, said: “We hope to see this collaboration continue to grow, embracing innovation, strengthening partnerships and ensuring rural Scotland remains safe, resilient and thriving for the future.”
Iain Batho, who leads on wildlife crime for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said: “COPFS values the critical role which SPARC plays in combating rural crime in Scotland. COPFS takes such offending extremely seriously, and strategic thinking and partnership working are fundamental to ensuring that those who commit rural crimes are brought to justice through the courts.”