THIS week, I want to focus on wildlife and rural crime, which has pronounced seasonal variation, with hare coursing more prevalent in autumn and winter months on stubble fields, and livestock worrying being of particular concern to farmers during the lambing season.

At different times of the year, we have also seen incidents of wild salmon and deer poaching, as well as more opportunistic diesel thefts and targeting of farm machinery.

Vigilance in the countryside is vital for landowners, workers and visitors alike, as it is important to recognise that the countryside in East Lothian is a beautiful place to visit for recreation but it is also a place of work and source of livelihood for many, and therefore it is important to respect and look after the animals, land and livelihoods which depend upon it.

We train a number of officers locally in wildlife crime investigation and are able to respond to incidents in the countryside using our fleet of quad bikes and 4x4 vehicles.

The other main way in which we manage our responses to wildlife crime is through the East Lothian Partnership Against Rural Crime (ELPARC), which includes members from the National Farmers Union and East Lothian Council, along with other local partners. Community Sergeant Garrett Hughes chairs the partnership meetings for ELPARC, which meets bi-monthly to discuss and respond to these priorities: 1. Hare coursing and poaching; 2. Rural theft and fuel theft; 3. Fire prevention and water safety; 4. Heritage crime; 5. Fly-tipping 6. Livestock attack and distress and equine crime.

In addition to ELPARC, we also have access to the services of a dedicated divisional wildlife crime co-ordinator, PC Ali Whitby, who recently took on the role, based at Tranent Police Station. The role is diverse and is critical to ensuring the protection of wildlife, including a number of protected and endangered species throughout Lothian and Scottish Borders Division. It also looks to target criminals who use wildlife crime to fund their criminal enterprises and actively look to harm and kill animals for sport.

I am delighted to have Ali based in East Lothian and he has already been out and about as the picture shows.

(Image: Police Scotland)

On arriving in post, Ali states: “I am an experienced and proactive officer who has served the area for a number of years.

"The Lothians and Borders has vast rural landscapes coupled with ever-growing towns and villages.

"‘Wildlife crime’ is crime and, by continuing this role, Police Scotland demonstrates its commitment to protecting Scotland’s natural environment for many years to come.

"Hare coursing, raptor persecution and the poaching of wild deer and salmon are just some of the examples of wildlife crime that occurs within the Lothian and Borders.

"I urge anyone that is looking to report wildlife crime, has intelligence regarding same or is seeking advice on a related matter to contact either 101, scotland.police.uk/contact-us reporting tool via the Police Scotland website or email directly to LothianScotBordersWildlife@scotland.police.uk

"Finally, I would encourage everyone to use the countryside responsibly and respectfully. Please ensure that you keep your dog on a lead whilst walking in or near fields or open land where there may be sheep or other livestock."