A new campaign is being launched online to combat rural crime.

Crimestoppers is launching the Scene it, Herd it, Speak up about it anonymously campaign today in a bid to reduce the £42.3million lost in rural theft in 2012.

The charity will be spreading the message through social media sites in particular giving advice to fight back against poaching, hare-coursing, theft of oil, metal and machinery.

The charity is also hosting a blog via www.blog.crimestoppers-uk.org

The campaign is being supported by the National Farmers’ Union among others.

Rural crime is a major focus in Essex due to the amount of farms and farmland across the county.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “Although crime occurs less in rural areas, it does still exist and impacts on large sections of the community.

“Police officers, specialist wildlife officers, PCSOs and rural Special Constables are working to combat rural crime by improving police engagement and the provision of information within rural communities, improving the skills and deployment of our rural policing teams and ensuring the further development of Rural Watch schemes.”

Visit the Essex Police website for more details.
Anyone with information or suspicions concerning criminal activity in the rural community can also ring the Crimestoppers national 24/7 telephone number on 0800 555 111 or contact the charity via our Anonymous Online Form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.