Anglesey joins anti-rural crime scheme Farm Watch

North Wales Police say farms can be vulnerable to crime, but the scheme can reduce the risks

Farmers across Anglesey are being urged to join a scheme aimed at preventing rural crime.

Farm Watch encourages them to be the eyes and the ears of the community by reporting suspicious behaviour.

Information will be passed onto members of the scheme via mobile phone text messages within minutes.

"Farm Watch is all about us working together with the community to protect property," said Pc Howell Owens, who will lead the initiative.

"Farmers often have a great deal of capital spread over a large expanse of land. Some stock and equipment is portable and can be relatively easy to steal.

"Whilst property can never be made totally secure, becoming a Farm Watch member will reduce the risk of becoming a victim of farm crime."

North Wales Police say they are aware of 20 farm-related incidents on Anglesey in the past six months, but they believe many other crimes may be going unreported.

Funded as a pilot scheme by the Ynys Môn Community Safety Partnership, the Farm Watch scheme is being launched later at the Anglesey Showground, Mona.

Farm Watch already exists in other parts of north and mid Wales such as Meirionnydd, west Conwy, Northop, south Denbighshire and Llanfair Caereinion, with other areas being considered.