Campaign to tackle crime in rural Shropshire

"Rural Matters" will aim to raise awareness of what officers are doing on a daily basis to help reduce crime in the countryside in Shropshire.

It comes after it was revealed last month rural crime cost people in the county £620,000 in 2014, with tools, quad bikes and bicycles the main target.

The figures, released by NFU Mutual, show a 36 per cent decrease compared to the previous year.

The insurer, which serves mainly the farming community, said thieves were continuing to target expensive all-terrain vehicles – more commonly known as quad bikes – and agricultural tools.

Police also reported a rise in thefts of Land Rovers, as well as parts such as their bonnets and mirrors.

New claims data also revealed that thieves were increasingly targeting items such as solar panels.

The theft of livestock also continued to be problem.

The first strand of the new campaign has been titled "50 days of focus" and starts from today.

Different activities will be taking place every day, from crime prevention advice to information on rural crime operations.

These will be highlighted on the campaign page www.westmercia.police.uk/ruralmatters.

Superintendent Sue Thomas, business lead for rural and business crime at West Mercia Police, said: "50 days of focus is our opportunity to highlight the good work our local policing teams are doing each and every day.

"When crime occurs in the rural community it can have a major impact on the victim, it can affect their livelihood and their ability to do business when items are stolen or damaged and it can also create a fear of crime in isolated rural locations.

"One of the challenges of policing in rural communities is the vast distances between properties and businesses.

"We are working hard with our partners at ways of bringing us closer to the people who need us at times they want to see us and we are committed to providing crime prevention advice to help people protect their property and reduce crime."