Rural Watch alerts scheme available across Scotland

In this guest blog, Inspector Jane Donaldson, Rural Crime Co-ordinator, Police Scotland tells us about a new alerts scheme now available across Scotland. 

Make sure you know what’s going on in your area and help keep yourself safe from crime by signing up to the Rural Watch Scotland alerts scheme.

Scotland’s rural communities are great places to live, work and visit. Crime in rural areas is relatively low and people quite rightly feel safe and secure in these communities. However when incidents do occur, it is important that people living in rural areas, many of who may live in isolated areas, are kept informed.

'Rural Watch’ is now available across Scotland and is a direct messaging system that can send email and text alerts about information relevant to your area. The information will come from local police officers and other approved information providers.

It is known that keeping communities informed about crime and other threats in their areas can help prevent crime, keep communities and residents safe, and the response to these alerts can help catch criminals.  

The availability of a national Rural Watch Alert platform has been one of the main aims of the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime (SPARC) since it was formed in 2015

I would encourage anyone living, working or those who regularly visit the countryside for leisure activities to sign up to receive relevant information about rural crime in their area.

Signing up is quick and easy, simply follow the link at: https://member-registration.neighbourhoodalert.co.uk/173/Join