A specialist rural crime taskforce has been credited with Scotland bucking the trend on countryside thefts compared to the rest of the UK.
Figures from insurer NFU Mutual show that the cost of claims in Scotland decreased by 3.8 per cent last year, while the rest of the UK saw a rise of 13.4 per cent (£4.3 million).
The cost of farm vehicle theft in Scotland has also almost halved over the last three years - prompting other UK police forces to look to Scotland as a model of best practice.
The improvements have been attributed to the work of the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime (SPARC), which includes Police Scotland, NFU Mutual and the Scottish Business Resilience Centre
Chief Superintendent John McKenzie, chair of SPARC, said: “I welcome the positive comments highlighted within the NFU Mutual Rural Crime Report, in particular the recognition that rural crime continues to fall in Scotland, and how it describes SPARC as a 'shining example' of the difference such an initiative can actually make.
"Across Scotland, rural partners and police have worked extremely hard to make a real difference to communities and the continued downward trend of crime figures in rural communities is an outcome linked to this approach.
"The close working with partner organisations means that we can quickly respond to emerging trends and crime hot spots and target those who pursue criminal activity in rural communities.
"This is a collective approach encompassing all members of SPARC and we continue to evolve to ensure we meet emerging threats and continue to support rural communities across Scotland.
"We will not become complacent in our mission of preventing crime and look forward to the continued partnership approach across Scotland."
NFU Mutual claims rural theft is now an organised crime, with expensive tractors and quad bikes being targeted by thieves, as well as an ongoing issue with sheep rustling.
SPARC was formed in 2015 in response to the growing number of thefts, with NFU Mutual providing funding and training for the taskforce.
Martin Malone, NFU Mutual regional manager for Scotland, said: "We are delighted that our partnership with Police Scotland for the SPARC scheme is proving so effective.
"As the insurer of the majority of farmers and many country people and their businesses, NFU Mutual’s staff and agents across Scotland are all too aware of the deep anxiety and distress rural crime can have on people in isolated locations.
"That’s why we work hard to tackle rural crime and provide financial support for initiatives which we think can effectively protect country people from the scourge of rural crime."
The partnership is now being looked at by the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC) to see where improvements can be made elsewhere in the UK.
Deputy chief constable Craig Naylor, the NPCC's lead for rural affairs, said: "Police forces are strengthening their response to rural crime with the launch of a new strategy, supported by all chief officers and Police and Crime Commissioners.
"We are looking to examples of best practice that can be adapted to other local areas, such as the results gained by the SPARC.
"The work done by SPARC is leading the way on reducing thefts of agricultural vehicles and the NPCC are keen to learn from this experience and bring the tactics to forces in England and Wales."
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