VILLAGERS and farmers are being urged to become “the eyes and ears” of the police to help fight a rising tide of rural criminality.

Thames Valley Police (TVP) yesterday launched Country Watch, a scheme to combat the theft of agricultural machinery and similar crimes.

Users can choose to receive text, voice or email alerts about suspected activity in their area – for example the number plate of a suspicious vehicle. They are then asked to call police to help keep officers on the trail.

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Anthony Stansfeld, who is spearheading the scheme, said: “Rural crime is rising and urban crime isn’t.

“Over the last few years metal has become much more valuable and heavy farm equipment is worth stealing – there is a big market for it in Eastern Europe.

“This is serious, organised crime, but unlike a bank robbery when you steal agricultural machinery you deal a big blow to a small business.”

Mr Stansfeld said that in the last three years TVP had reduced overall offences, but that rural crimes, including theft of agricultural machinery, hare coursing and poaching, had increased.

He denied that the scheme was intended to counteract police cutbacks, saying there are more police on the beat now than a year ago.

Shepherd David Barber, who manages Warborough Farm in Letcombe Regis near Wantage, said: “The beauty of this service is that most farmers are out on their farms all day and aren’t checking their emails all the time, but if you receive a text saying there are some hare coursers you can get in touch.

“The idea is that it will be fairly immediate. There are a lot of crimes linked to the same people, like theft of fuel – it is an ongoing problem.”

People who sign up to the scheme receive crime alerts, witness appeals, galleries of wanted criminals or suspects, information on community groups, events or meetings.

TVP inspector Angela Jones said: “Country Watch allows the individual to reply to our messages, share any intelligence or suspicions and become more attuned with the rural neighbourhood policing teams which is vital when trying to detect and reduce rural crime.”

Go to thamesvalleycountrywatch.co.uk for more details.