Highland rural crime-fighting team given national award
Highlands and Islands Police Farmwatch has been crowned Scotland’s ‘Best Country Crime Fighter 2014’.
The team was handed the award by NFU Mutual at the rural insurer’s awards ceremony that took place at Saddlers Hall in London on Thursday (October 9).
Farmwatch uses text alerts to inform local residents about rural crime incidents.
Addressing issues such as missing persons, the scheme also works closely with the NFU who have devised farmwatch signs for a network of 500 members.
At the ceremony, the unit was presented with a cheque for £500 to help fund future anti-crime initiatives in Scotland.
PC Angie Grant-Omotosho said: "I am proud to accept this accolade on behalf of everyone in the team who have invested so much time and effort in the fight against rural crime.
"It is a vocation which is both demanding and rewarding.
"Communicating effectively with people who live and work in the countryside helps us stay one step ahead of the criminals.
"It would be impossible for the scheme to do what it does without the support of the rural community we serve."
Richard Percy, chairman of NFU Mutual, said: "As part of the fabric of country life, we have a responsibility to offer continued support to rural communities in their on-going fight against crime.
"This scheme has managed to unite the community in the fight against crime, through perseverance and creativity, which has not only earned it the respect of the local community but contributed to the neighbourhood being a much safer place."
