Police are stepping up the fight against rural crime with the launch of a new Country Watch scheme in Craven District.

Officers hope that as many local people as possible will sign up to the scheme and help make rural communities safer.

Inspector Will Scarlett, of Craven Rural Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: “By the nature of rural crime, individuals and communities can feel more impacted when a crime occurs to them, or near them, as they can feel more isolated and less supported.

“Country Watch looks to support these communities and bring them together, so that along with the police, they look out for each other, report incidents, and make life for more difficult for criminals.”

For more information about the Country Watch scheme, visit the North Yorkshire Police website northyorkshire.police.uk/farmwatch.