Annan farm targeted by thieves who made off with shotguns, ammunition and equipment

Nov 18 2009 by Sharon Liptrott, Dumfries Standard Wednesday

SHOTGUNS and ammunition have been stolen in the latest raid on a farm in Annandale.

The region is seeing a surge in rural crime this year with Annandale and Eskdale in particular being targeted.

In the latest incident, thieves broke into the farm in the Newbie area of Annan between 6.30pm on Thursday and 12.30am on Friday.

As well as the weapons haul, which included several shotguns and an air rifle, the thieves made off with a drill and a jigsaw.

DC Scott Young of Annan CID said: “There continues to be an increase in rural crime in the region but in Annandale and Eskdale in particular.

“The thieves are targeting rural farms and striking at night. They are mainly stealing quad bikes, trailers and any farm machinery they can take.

“It is very rare for guns and ammunition to be taken. We have had no other incident of gun theft reported this year.

“It could have been an opportunist find for the thieves.”

The detective constable added: “We are doing everything we can to stamp this out and we need the farming community and those with rural properties to be extra vigilant and to take extra security precautions.

“We need people to be on their guard and to contact the police if they see anything suspicious.”

One of the police initiatives this year has been the formation of a Farm Watch scheme in Annandale and Eskdale.

It aims to unite isolated properties in a bid to protect the rural way of life.

Crime reduction officer Constable Alistair Mitchell says the police are working in partnership with the farming community with a pro-active approach.

He is advising farmers to make sure that they secure vehicles and equipment when not in use and, if possible, remove machinery from fields.

“Through Farm Watch, we will be encouraging anyone out and about in the rural areas to be alert to what is going on. Anyone working or living in the countryside will be used to a routine of activity. They will see the same people and vehicles regularly. We want them to contact police when they see anything out of the ordinary.”

Police can be contacted on 0845 600 5701.

Annan police are also investigating a firearms incident in the Hillview Crescent area of the town. At a around 7pm on Sunday an airgun appears to have been fired at an open house door, sending a pellet flying through the property.

A police spokesman said the pellet did not strike anyone and no-one was injured.

They are carrying out an investigation.