SPARC is a multi-agency partnership involving key organisations collectively working together to prevent, reduce and tackle rural crime, particularly from the ever increasing threat posed by SOCG’s throughout Scotland.
Providing strategic focus and an ethos of collective understanding, we are committed to listening, being visible plus understanding local and national concerns in order to reduce any perceived fear of crime whilst promoting a culture where individuals can prosper.
This is the 3rd iteration of the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime (SPARC) which launched 9 years ago to bring together the rural community to prevent, reduce, and tackle rural crime across Scotland in partnership.
As we approach our 10 year anniversary of SPARC in 2026, we have continued to see a reduction in several rural crime types, enhanced visibility of the issues of rural crime and renewed commitment from numerous partners in working together to tackle and reduce rural crime across Scotland.
A visible and coordinated approach has been key to this, with shared campaigns raising awareness and engagement with members of the public.
This is the 3rd iteration of the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime (SPARC) which launched 9 years ago to bring together the rural community to prevent, reduce, and tackle rural crime across Scotland in partnership.
As we approach our 10 year anniversary of SPARC in 2026, we have continued to see a reduction in several rural crime types, enhanced visibility of the issues of rural crime and renewed commitment from numerous partners in working together to tackle and reduce rural crime across Scotland.
A visible and coordinated approach has been key to this, with shared campaigns raising awareness and engagement with members of the public.
SPARC: Building on previous successes
Previous SPARC strategies have achieved significant successes in building partnerships, increasing rural engagement across Scotland and raising the profile of rural crime. National, regional, and local events have been attended by SPARC members, promoting the partnership and the local PARC’s. Crime prevention advice and guidance has also been provided relating to our rural communities.
Promotional events, social media and mainstream media outlets have all been used to raise the profile of SPARC and rural crime. Rural Crime training to local Police Scotland officers in rural vehicle identification tracking and tracing has been delivered and continues to expand across Scotland. However, there is much more we can do in the years ahead.
SPARC: Building on previous successes
Previous SPARC strategies have achieved significant successes in building partnerships, increasing rural engagement across Scotland and raising the profile of rural crime. National, regional, and local events have been attended by SPARC members, promoting the partnership and the local PARC’s. Crime prevention advice and guidance has also been provided relating to our rural communities.
Promotional events, social media and mainstream media outlets have all been used to raise the profile of SPARC and rural crime. Rural Crime training to local Police Scotland officers in rural vehicle identification tracking and tracing has been delivered and continues to expand across Scotland. However, there is much more we can do in the years ahead.
MEMBERS
Our five rural crime priorities
Rural machinery, tool, fuel and metal thefts Police Scotland
- Farm, Forestry and Renewables
- machinery theft
- Quad bike/All-terrain vehicles
- Rural tool theft
- Domestic/commercial fuel and
timber theft - Theft of metal and cabling from
renewable energy sites.
Heritage Crime
- Heritage crime
- Illegal metal detecting
- Anti-social behaviour/vandalism
leading to damage at historic buildings
or monuments - Theft of cultural and historic artefacts
- Wilful non-reporting and sales of
archaeological finds.
Livestock crime
- Livestock theft
- Livestock attacks and worrying
- Securing the integrity and safety of
food supply chain
Rural flytipping
- Household and commercial waste
- Waste through organised crime
Equine incidents and thefts
- Horse, tack and trailer theft
- Horse interference
- Equine road safety
READ THE RURAL CRIME STRATEGY
- Joining Rural Watch Scotland allows you to receive local alerts from service providers of your choice and in a format that suits you
- Areas of local concern can be better addressed
- Your problem becomes a shared problem
- People work together to make communities safer
- You can work more effectively together with other NW Schemes and local groups, the police and other partners
- Opportunity to know your neighbours, local police officers and other service providers