RURAL homes and isolated farms are to be protected by an 'early-warning' network of intelligence.

Police are fighting back against metal thieves, distraction burglars and bogus traders by launching the Countrywatch scheme.

Any countryside property in west Oxfordshire can join the network - which runs in a similar way to Neighbourhood Watch zones - and receive alerts about rural crimes.

If police receive a report of a crime - such as metal theft, burglary or hare coursing - officers will immediately share it with all Countrywatch members and warn them to be on the look-out.

The Countrywatch scheme is launched at Blenheim Palace, in Woodstock, today.

PC Simon Towers said: "Crimes such as metal thefts and distraction burglaries do not only happen in towns.

"The crimes also happen in isolated villages and isolated properties.

"Hopefully, using this early warning system will increase the amount of information and intelligence coming in to the police."

A similar system was set up in west Oxfordshire in 1993, but this stopped being used ten years ago.

Now police are hoping to restart the scheme by sending out alerts to members via phone, email or fax when there has been a crime.

Countrywatch is aimed at tackling a wide range of crimes including lead and metal thefts, tool theft, poaching or hare coursing and distraction burglars or bogus traders targeting the vulnerable and isolated.

In the first three months of this year, there have been 13 metal thefts in west Oxfordshire including properties in Combe, Radcot, Ducklington and Minster Lovell.

Countrywatch will also link with members of Horse Watch, a network of owners dealing with rare cases of horse theft or mutilations.

Farms and homes will be given signs alerting visitors to the Countrywatch Scheme.

Anyone wishing to join can attend the launch at The Orangery, at Blenheim Palace, between 6pm and 8pm today.

There will also be information supplied by the Environment Agency and Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, and advice on crime reduction and wildlife crime.

Individuals can register for Countrywatch by contacting Danielle Hanton at West Oxfordshire District Council on 01993 861640.