RURAL crime fighters were joined by an MP on a recent patrol in Wensleydale.

Richmond MP Rishi Sunak accompanied PCSO Bryan Tongue to see first-hand the work of North Yorkshire Police's Rural Taskforce.

They called on an elderly couple who had a valuable collie sheepdog and seven pups stolen from their farm.

They were updated on the theft investigation and advised about securing their other property, particularly a sought-after Land Rover Defender.

PCSO Tongue supplied the couple with a security kit and helped them security mark the vehicle.

The officer told Mr Sunak that Defenders, now out of production and rising in value, were popular targets for professional criminals, along with quad bikes, trailers, power tools and pressure washers.

The taskforce is also targetting poaching, particularly hare-coursing. Mr Sunak said: “I found my time spent with Bryan hugely encouraging. His passion for his tackling rural crime was really infectious. This is real community policing tailored for the area served.”