Vehicles belonging to East Lothian Council are taking part in a new police initiative aimed at tackling rural crime which was launched today. (Thursday, 20 February).
Under the scheme, waterproof stickers to display on tractors, excavators and other machinery are being provided to farming communities by Police Scotland.
The specially designed stickers encourage police officers on patrols to pull the vehicle over to verify ownership if they are being driven outside routine hours of use.
The aim is to catch thieves making off with stolen property on the roads network.
The scheme was launched in East Lothian during an event held at the council’s roads depot in the Macmerry Industrial Estate.
The stickers will be attached to selected vehicles and equipment in the council fleet.
In December last year the depot was targeted in a break-in which saw a rented pick-up truck stolen from the site.
Act as a deterrent
Police Scotland have reported that rural thefts in the county increased during January and February 2025 compared with the same period last year.
Provost John McMillan attended the launch alongside the police’s local area commander, Chief Inspector Ben Leathes. Cllr McMillan said: “We are very pleased to support this excellent initiative from Police Scotland to help tackle rural crime in East Lothian.
“The theft of rural vehicles and equipment is a growing problem, and the council would encourage residents to attach these stickers to their property to assist police officers in catching thieves and to act as a deterrent.”
Inspector Jordan Low, from Police Scotland’s Rural, Acquisitive and Business Preventions team, said: “Road policing officers and their local policing colleagues have been made aware of the scheme and throughout the course of their duties, should they come across a vehicle displaying one, they will stop and check the vehicle and driver ensure anyone driving is legally permitted to do so.”