Written Question · S6W-23593 · Session 6
How many convictions relating to rural crime there have been in each local authority area in (a) 2021, (b) 2022 and (c) 2023 to date, also …
The question
To ask the Scottish Government how many convictions relating to rural crime there have been in each local authority area in (a) 2021, (b) 2022 and (c) 2023 to date, also broken down by the crimes that were in relation to (i) livestock theft, (ii) machinery theft, (iii) fuel theft and (iv) livestock worrying.
The answer
The latest available information on convictions is for the financial year 2021-22.
(i),(ii),(iii) The Scottish Government does not hold data that allows us to distinguish between rural and urban crime, or theft of specific items. These offences are likely to be charged under broader crimes of Attempted theft and theft and/or Theft of a motor vehicle.
(iv) Information on the number of people convicted for livestock worrying, by LA, is provided in the following table.
People convicted under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, section 1(1)&(6), where main charge, by Local Authority, 2021-22.
2021-22
Aberdeen City
1
Angus
1
East Ayrshire
1
Highland
2
Perth & Kinross
1
West Dunbartonshire
1
Total Scotland
7
Source: Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings database.
Please note that data for 2020-21 and 2021-22 are affected by the pandemic, subsequent court closures, reduced court capacity due to physical distancing measures and delays to cases where key participants were forced to self-isolate after testing positive for COVID-19, and should not be considered indicative of long term trends.
(i),(ii),(iii) The Scottish Government does not hold data that allows us to distinguish between rural and urban crime, or theft of specific items. These offences are likely to be charged under broader crimes of Attempted theft and theft and/or Theft of a motor vehicle.
(iv) Information on the number of people convicted for livestock worrying, by LA, is provided in the following table.
People convicted under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953, section 1(1)&(6), where main charge, by Local Authority, 2021-22.
2021-22
Aberdeen City
1
Angus
1
East Ayrshire
1
Highland
2
Perth & Kinross
1
West Dunbartonshire
1
Total Scotland
7
Source: Scottish Government Criminal Proceedings database.
Please note that data for 2020-21 and 2021-22 are affected by the pandemic, subsequent court closures, reduced court capacity due to physical distancing measures and delays to cases where key participants were forced to self-isolate after testing positive for COVID-19, and should not be considered indicative of long term trends.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S6W-23593 by reference.