Farm watch and rural crimes

Farmers in Derbyshire are being urged to take advantage of a free crime prevention service aimed at protecting the county's rural communities.

The aim is for it to strengthen community spirit, encourage vigilance and help reduce the opportunity for crime to happen in the first place by the swift sharing of information.

When someone reports a crime such as the theft of agricultural equipment, messages will be sent out to everyone signed up to the scheme urging them to be on the lookout.

The same goes for issues such as suspicious vehicle sightings - if it's reported, police and Farm Watch members can share that information with the whole farming community quickly and try to stop crime before it happens.

Benefits members will receive include:

• Practical crime prevention advice to farmers and landowners, to help ensure their property and goods are as secure as possible;
• A property marking scheme to make it harder for thieves to dispose of stolen goods;
• A text, email or voicemail alert service;
• A dedicated page on the Derbyshire Police website to keep members updated with the latest rural crimes, trends and prevention tips.
• Warning signs for your gates and property will be given out so criminals will be aware that you are a member of Farm Watch and that your property is protected

It will be powered by the constabulary's Derbyshire Alert service, a free messaging system that sends appeals or crime prevention messages to tens of thousands of recipients via text, email or voice message.

Those signing up for Farm Watch will receive information relating to rural crime, such as livestock rustling, oil theft, vehicle theft, burglary, trespass and criminal damage.

For more information, call your local Safer Neighbourhood Team on 101