AN interactive website has been launched in a bid to raise awareness of rural crime.

FarmWatcherUK, a County Durham based online community, takes alerts from regional and national police forces and broadcasts them quickly through social media networks.

Farmer’s daughter Andrea Stephenson set up FarmWatcherUK after her brother’s quad bike was stolen from his hill farm and a neighbouring farmer had 30 sheep stolen.

She said: “The rural community have really taken ownership of the scheme and see it is a valuable resource in sharing information quickly via social media, which is paramount to raising awareness of an incident quickly.

“The next logical step was to develop an interactive website where users can see at a glance which incidents are happening in their area, and alerts others.”

The community has over 6 million impressions across the networks each month and 16,500 fans on Facebook.

Across the UK, rural theft cost an estimated £44.5 million in 2013 and the theft of live stock rose by 25 per cent, making it one of the worst years on record.

FarmWatcherUK works alongside national bodies such as Historic England to raise awareness of heritage crime.

Mark Harrison, National Policing and Crime Advisor at Historic England said, “Many people realise that heritage crime not only damages protected buildings and archaeological sites, but also the quality of life in their local area.

“Rural communities are working with Historic England and their local policing teams to help protect and preserve the Country's wonderful heritage for this and for future generations."

For more information visit www.farmwatcher.co.uk or email Andrea at info@farmwatcher.co.uk.