Police intelligence will be delivered by mobile phone

The Farm Watch project will see farmers and police joining forces in County Durham.

Farmers will receive police intelligence on crime hotspots by email or mobile phone text message.

The scheme, which is launched on Saturday, is being hailed as a major step in improving protection for the area's agricultural community.

Many farmers and their families feel isolated and a target for thieves Pc Alan Patterson

The initiative, led by Derwentside Community Policing Unit, is being launched at the Lanchester Show on Saturday and Sunday and will be offered to farms and rural businesses in the district.

Durham Police say it is the first time such hi-tech methods of communication have been used to target rural crime.

In recent months quad bikes, trailers, horseboxes and other farm vehicles have been a particular target for opportunist thieves.

Pc Alan Patterson said: "Many farmers and their families feel isolated and a target for thieves, not least because of their location in rural areas.

"This new package of measures is a great way of circulating urgent or up-to-date crime intelligence and information that might directly affect them.

"This scheme gives all members of the farming community the opportunity to become additional eyes and ears, passing on information about the movements of strangers and their vehicles."