HUNDREDS of farms across Weardale and Teesdale are to have their property marked with a solution which can be used to trace stolen property.
The SmartWater system will mark trailers, tractors, tools and other items from 350 farms across the area.
SmartWater carries a DNA-type code which allows police to identify where recovered property has come from.
Sergeant Steve Donnelly, of Crook police, which is implementing the £5,000 scheme, said SmartWater made stolen property very hard to sell on.
"We have wanted to tackle rural crime for some time now," he said.
"Thieves target quad bikes, power tools, and Ifor Williams trailers are also really popular - and we want SmartWater to reduce the number that get stolen.
"When larger property is stolen, it gets sent all over the country and it is harder to track down. SmartWater marking should put an end to that."
For more information on SmartWater, call police on 0845 60 60 365.
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