A dedicated scheme aimed at helping to cut rural crime and protect farming communities has been launched in Derbyshire.
Farm Watch is a pioneering project that quickly spreads crime prevention advice, witness appeals and information to anyone signed up to it.
Texts, emails and voice messages can be sent to hundreds of people at a time, pinpointed to a specific area.
This means that if a suspicious vehicle, for example, is spotted near a farm and reported to the police, every Farm Watch member in that area will be warned to be on the lookout and double-check the security of their property.
The free service, which launched on Monday, June 17, is being led by police and partners including Derbyshire Dales and High Peak local authorities, Derbyshire County Council and the NFU.
Between October last year and March this year, thieves targeted farms across the county and made off with a huge range of items, from livestock to fuel.
To sign up to Farm Watch, visit www.derbyshirealert.co.uk and fill in the simple registration form, ensuring you tick the ‘Farm Watch’ box.
You can also sign up at events over the summer or when the police tractor is in attendance at Bakewell Agricultural Business Centre.