Ms Hamilton has written to newly appointed Home Office minister Sarah Jones, urging her to release the consultation responses and secondary legislation that accompanied the UK bill two years ago. She wants to ensure any Scottish legislation mirrors the Westminster law before next year’s Holyrood election. “Incidents of theft and other crimes are on the increase in rural areas and we must urgently act to protect these communities and punish those responsible,” Ms Hamilton said. “I have been deeply frustrated by previous Labour Home Office ministers refusal to do so and in some cases not even replying. “Rural crime is a cross-border issue and our farmers deserve timely action.