In West Yorkshire, a countryside crime fighting network is to roll out further across Airedale and North Bradford.
Running in the Bingley and Worth area, Farmwatch and Horsewatch initiatives have now been launched in rural parts of Keighley. <br><br>The Keighley Neighbourhood Police Team are asking for volunteers to come forwards and take part in both schemes which help build up an information sharing network of police and residents to share intelligence on any recent farm related crimes and keep each other updated about relevant issues. <br><br>Both now have a number of active members and the Farmwatch scheme in particular has proved the West Yorkshire force says popular since its launch in the Worth Valley area in the spring.<br><br>Police in Bingley recently recruited an extra 50 members at one event alone for the scheme which sees all members sign up to a contacts register for updates via text and email, and also display signs and stickers warning intruders they are members of the scheme.<br><br>Since their launch, both schemes have been praised for helping police better focus crime prevention work and communicate quickly when necessary, such as a recent example where a Farmwatch alert through farms helped locate a missing sheep dog. Inspector Wayne Horner of the Keighley Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "We would encourage rural residents in the Keighley area and those involved in the equine trade to drop us a line and get involved with these schemes as the evidence shows they can have real results. <br><br>"By providing us with a better communications network with our farmers and equine owners this scheme will allow us to more quickly share useful information with them and also provide an extra level of support and reassurance."
