POLICE AND partner agencies will be offering advice on how to prevent rural crime at a day-long event being held at Dingwall Mart this Wednesday, May 16.

Officers from various teams within the Highlands and Islands Division – road policing, preventions and interventions, and wildlife crime – will be present to discuss crime prevention in rural areas, joined by representatives from the National Farmers Union, CESAR (Construction Equipment Security and Registration) and I-sight CCTV offering rural security advice.

Also present will be staff from the Mid Ross Mental Health team, who will be on hand to discuss concerns members of the rural community may have regarding family and friends suffering from mental health issues in the crofting and rural community

The event will be held on Wednesday, May 16 between 9am and 3pm in the café area of Dingwall Mart – and is open to all.

Preventions and interventions officer Constable Ross Polworth said: “Police and partners are looking forward to meeting members of the local farming and rural community with a view to helping them keep their properties and equipment safe and secure.

"Thieves may target high value equipment and fuel in rural areas believing them to be an easy target. This can have a devastating effect on the livelihood of those unfortunate enough to be targeted, so by offering advice on the most up to date security techniques we will hopefully reduce instances of rural crime in the far north of Scotland.”

Local supplier of Data Tag and other security systems, Frank Nicols Farm and Garden Machinery, will be on hand to give advice on CESAR equipment and will offer discounts to any retro fitting of security systems purchased on the day

The event has been co-ordinated by wildlife crime liaison officer Constable Daniel Sutherland, who said: “I will be providing advice on wildlife crime issues in the division to help raise awareness and the profile of high risk species.

"Scotland is well known for its wildlife and is a significant part of Scotland tourism economy. It is important we keep targeting those willing to commit these high profile crime."