FARMERS in the Severn Vale are joining forces in the fight against rural crime.

Local representatives from the National Farmers’ Union, along with Avon and Somerset Police and Avon Fire and Rescue Service, have launched Farm Watch.

The scheme, which has been set up in villages including Almondsbury, Easter Compton, Hallen, Northwick, Over, Pilning, Redwick and Severn Beach, aims to promote preventative measures which will arm farms against would-be thieves.

PC Louise Thomas, beat manager for the Severnside neighbourhood, said: "There are more than 100 farms on my beat. They can be vulnerable to thieves because of their remote locations and the value of some of their equipment and livestock, which can run into thousands of pounds."

Under the scheme farms will get a free crime reduction survey and property-marking session. A representative from the neighbourhood policing team will visit the farm and recommend security improvements. All equipment in the farm will be marked and photographed.

David Spratt, who runs Cote Farm in Aust and is also branch chairman of the Thornbury NFU, was at the Farm Watch launch yesterday.

He said: "I think it is an excellent idea. Hopefully the scheme will raise awareness to the burglars that we won’t let this happen to our livelihoods.

"The threat of burglars is a major concern for us, especially for people who have been targeted before and might be targeted again.

"I would encourage all farmers to take part. Anything that discourages burglars has got to be good."

As well as taking a record of equipment on the farm the scheme also includes a crime alert text service through the NFU where police will notify the NFU of any rural crime in the area so that all their members can be alerted.

Member farms will also benefit from Avon Fire and Rescue Service fire safety surveys.