OFFICERS in the region have teamed up with the National Farmers’ Union and rural insurers, NFU Mutual, to fund materials to help tackle rural crime.

Partners and police have secured funding for the county’s Farmwatch scheme, including a new supply of signs for the initiative.

The newest batch of signs will help to promote the scheme and deter opportunistic criminals from operating in rural communities.

Farmwatch is a network designed to alert rural and farming residents to any criminal or suspicious activity, share crime prevention advice and make appeals for information.

The scheme allows farmers and members of the public to be kept informed of crime in their area, receive monthly news bulletins, crime prevention advice and appeals for information about suspicious people or vehicles.

Local Neighbourhood Inspector John Swan, of Northumbria Police, said: “Rural crime is something we’re dedicated to tackling and something we police alongside local partners and volunteers to ensure a holistic and robust approach.

“These signs help deter potential criminals as well as highlighting the amazing Farmwatch initiative and all of the great partnership work behind it.

“We work alongside partners on a number of different rural operations to help protect residents and this work has had a fantastic response from the farming community and members of the public with a lot of support for the work being carried out.

“I want to also thank our partners and local volunteers for their sustained support and we all look forward to continuing our efforts to ensure that rural communities remain safe places to live, work and visit.”

NFU Regional Director Adam Bedford expressed his delight to see a collaborative approach to crime fighting in Northumberland.

He said: “The impact of rural crime on local farm businesses is something that’s raised with us on an almost daily basis.

"As a result, a key priority for us is working with the police to make it as difficult as possible for criminals to target rural areas.

"We must emphasise that the countryside is not a soft touch.

“Farmwatch in Northumberland is going from strength to strength, so I was delighted the NFU was able to contribute to the much needed signs that help amplify the hard work of the police and their local farmer volunteers.”

Cath Bowman, from NFU Mutual, Hexham said: “The NFU Group Offices in Hexham, Alnwick and Morpeth are keen to support Northumbria Police and promote Farmwatch on every farm in our area and fight rural crime head on.”

To find out more about Farmwatch contact crime.prevention@northumbria.pnn.police.uk