NFUS pull together farm safety and security experts for a day of workshops at Portsoy
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AN event which aims to help farmers protect their property from theft is being hosted by the north east regional group of NFU Scotland next month.
The event will include a keynote speech on tackling rural crime from Inspector Alan Dron, Police Scotland's national rural crime co-ordinator.
Regional chairman Alan Simpson will welcome people to the event at Gray Farms, Portsoy, on Wednesday, December 1.
There will be workshops on CCTV, Cyber Crime, the importance of security and security marking on vehicles, quad bikes and ATVs, wildlife crime and risk management.
In addition the Red Cross and Scottish Ambulance Service will host defibrillator demonstrations and how to deal with trauma injuries.
Police Scotland will demonstrate DNA kits and there will be a mental health station.
Mr Simpson said: "We are deeply indebted to the Gray family for all their help and support in hosting this event. The farm buildings at Portsoy are ideal for these workshops.
“Police Scotland work well with us locally, and Mike Urquhart and his team are in close contact with us at all times. They will be on hand to cover various elements of rural crime activities. With the ongoing and unrelenting incidents up here, we feel sure that NFUS members will be keen to understand more about the criminal tactics employed and how to combat them, using a variety of tools and techniques.
“Our family members, our staff and our businesses are highly valuable and well worth investing our time upon.”
North East Crime Reduction Officer PC Mike Urquhart said: “Police Scotland are delighted to work in partnership with NFUS to raise awareness of crime within our rural communities and ensure our countryside is a safe place to work, live and visit.
“Officers will be working with a range of partner agencies at the to provide advice on how to keep farms safer and more secure.
“Raising awareness about the steps farmers can take to protect their property is vitally important to tackle crime. With the increasing threat posed by serious organised crime groups throughout Scotland we want to ensure those that farm and look after our countryside have the skills and knowledge to keep their working environment safe."
The event is at Gray Farms, Station Yard, Roseacre Street, Portsoy, AB45 2QX from 9.30am.
