More than 60 farms in South Lanarkshire have seen a reduction in thefts since starting to use a new property marking scheme.

Since the deployment of SelectaDNA marking kits and warning signs on the farms, which had previously been the victims of theft, no new incidents had been reported. The kits contain forensic liquid with a DNA code which enables police to identify recovered property suspected of being stolen, within seconds.

The kits were funded by NFU Mutual as part of its support for SPARC – the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime. Rural crime is costly and disruptive and can be highly distressing for those impacted, said a spokesperson.

South Lanarkshire beef farmer, Tom French, pointed out that a few years ago the area was being 'absolutely hammered' by quad bike and machinery thefts. “Police Scotland’s introduction of the SPARC scheme supported by NFU Mutual funding had helped reduce these types of crimes and thefts," he said. "And now SelectaDNA is proving to be another effective tool to deter criminal activity.”

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NFU Mutual Scotland's manager, Mark McBrearty, said the rural insurer had been delighted with the schemes's success. He added: “Working closely with farmers and Police Scotland, we’ve seen how effective property marking is at deterring farm thieves, with no new thefts in the area since the trial began.

“We will continue to work alongside SPARC to roll out more of these kits and protect Scottish farmers, and their vital machinery, from criminals.”

Police Inspector Alan Dron, Scotland’s National Rural Crime Co-ordinator said that the kits were proving to be a huge success story. "We have offered the kits to farms that have suffered thefts as part of the crime prevention support being offered by police officers to repeat victims of crime.

“Combined with proactive policing, an extremely strong local rural crime partnership and a number of criminals being caught and locked up, theft of quads, trailers, plant and machinery has significantly reduced in many parts of rural Scotland. As a result of the reduction in theft, we’re going to be giving out more kits to vulnerable farms," he said.