CRIMESTOPPERS is calling for the public to be the eyes and ears of the countryside in a campaign to crack down on rural crime.

The charity has launched an appeal for anonymous information to help protect hard-pressed rural communities across the North East.

Criminal gangs exploit local wildlife, environment and communities in many ways: rural residents often feel unsafe at home; farm owners have to foot the bill for criminal damage and local businesses in rural areas can see their income and cashflow adversely affected.

Ruth McNee, Crimewatch’s North East manager, said: “Our charity knows how damaging crime in the countryside can be to local communities, to rural businesses, to farmers, wildlife and the environment.

“Every day we hear from people who are in the know about those involved in damaging our beautiful countryside across the North-East, but there is so much more we can do.

“By telling us anonymously what you know, whether you live or are visiting rural areas, your information can help make all the difference.

In the year to April 2021, Crimestoppers nationally received nearly 2,700 anonymous reports about rural crime. This is a 14 per cent increase on the year before but suggests a degree of under-reporting.

Last year, the charity passed on more than 7,400 anonymous pieces of information given from the people in the North East region.

The scheme has seen a number of rural crimes thwarted including a man using aggressive dogs to hunt deer and rabbits, tradesmen burying asbestos in the ground, and theft of high value farm equipment such as diggers, caterpillars, tractors and bobcats. The stolen equipment has been found as far away as Europe.

NFU Mutual estimates that rural theft cost the UK a staggering £43.3m in 2020 and in the North East £7.8m.