Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP, Liz Smith, has criticised the recently published policing plan, “Serving a Changing Scotland”, for failing to mention countryside communities or strategies to prevent increasing cases of livestock worrying.
Last week in the Scottish Parliament Liz raised the issue of rural crime, particularly livestock worrying, with Fergus Ewing MSP. Although the Minister indicated this was an issue his government was taking seriously, this week’s policing document indicates otherwise.
Rural communities are growing at a faster rate than anywhere else in Scotland and their omission comes despite this strategy highlighting challenges such as migration, health and inequality.
Commenting Liz Smith MSP said:
“It was just last week when the Cabinet Secretary assured me that the government was taking rural crime seriously yet this policing plan completely fails to mention emerging problems in our countryside areas, including livestock worrying.
“This document gives the impression that the SNP is only focussed on its central belt heartlands and has completely forgotten about the needs of rural people.
“It is completely unacceptable for there to be not one mention of our rural communities and I would hope that Ministers in Edinburgh take time to set out their vision for combatting countryside crime.”