POLICE have warned farmers about the threat of rural crime following recent thefts across Tynedale.

Northumbria Police's neighbourhood inspector Pam Bridges is encouraging those living in rural areas to be more cautious after a quad bike was stolen from Slaggyford, near Haltwhistle, and an attempted theft of a similar vehicle from Allendale, last weekend.

Insp. Bridges said: "The financial and emotional impact from these types of crimes is very significant for victims and are committed to tackling this type of rural crime.

"We work closely with partners and groups like Farmwatch to police issues and address concerns from communities.

"We also work closely with members of the public who are incredibly vigilant and report anything suspicious to officers.

"We advise owners take simple steps to help protect their property and machinery from potential thieves and lock windows and doors so that keys can’t be taken for vehicles."

To combat crime, Insp. Bridges said farmers should remove keys from all unattended vehicles, avoid leaving machinery in fields, mark all vehicles and tools with their postcodes and fit tracking devices to vehicles.