POLICE have launched a bid to crackdown on crime against farmers.

Officers from the Denby Dale and Kirkburton Neighbourhood Policing Team visited more than 30 farms last week to launch their new Farmlink initiative.

Farmers have been invited to join the crime-fighting scheme in a bid to share information about crimes that have been committed in the area.

It is hoped the new network will help local farmers to better protect their property and be aware of local crime issues.

Wpc Sally Baines said: “Kirkburton and Denby Dale is a very rural area with a high number of farms. Unfortunately some farmers suffer from various thefts, including the theft of metal, stone and plant machinery, which several of them can ill afford in the current economic climate.

“We hope that by sharing information between us and the farms in the area we can help prevent thefts of this kind. Obviously we do investigate crimes and do treat them very seriously.

“Farmlink is just another tool for us to use and is about farmers providing us with their contact details so that when any crimes occur, we can contact them by text, phone, email or post to let them know.

“Crime prevention will also be given and the farmers have contact details for the Farmlink team at Kirkburton Police Station so that they can quickly inform us of any thefts or incidents on their land. A regular newsletter will also be sent out to all Farmlink members.”

In addition to Farmlink, Kirklees Police’s crime reduction officers have created a crime prevention leaflet specifically aimed at the agricultural community.

The leaflet, entitled: ‘Put a Stop to Rural Crime’, has been distributed across the Kirkburton, Denby Dale and Valleys areas and is supported by the Huddersfield Rural Crime Prevention Panel, who recently provided funding for a dry-stone wall protection scheme.

Wpc Baines added: “So far there has been a very positive reaction from all the farmers, landowners and stable owners that we’ve spoken to and we’re hoping to get lots of application forms sent back to us and be able to create a real crime-fighting community.”

Contact: Anyone interested in becoming a Farmlink member can call the team at Kirkburton station on 01484 436898 or email: ea.kirkburtonnpt@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk