Crimestoppers has launched a new partnership with six police forces in northern England to combat the growing issue of rural crime.

Police forces in Cumbria, Lancashire, North Yorkshire, Northumbria, Cleveland, and Durham are joining the initiative to address cross-border rural crime.

The campaign aims to curb rural crime by increasing community awareness of those responsible. The public will also be encouraged to report suspicious activity in rural areas, with guidance from the forces on preventing criminals from targeting farms.

Criminals often travel long distances on roads like the A66, A1, or M6 to commit crimes, causing significant financial loss.

Recent figures show rural crime cost the UK nearly £53m last year, with thieves frequently targeting high-value items like tractor GPS units.

The Crimestoppers campaign focuses on four key areas: the theft of quad bikes and farm machinery, livestock theft, burglary, and poaching.

A statement from the partnership reads: "The six forces will share intelligence and carry out joint operations which is successful in stopping travelling criminals.

"But with the help of the public, they can be more effective in targeting their resources and reducing crime in rural areas.

"Criminals may travel across areas to carry out burglaries or thefts from rural properties."

Last year, quad bikes and ATVs were top targets for rural thieves, with thefts rising 9% to an estimated £3.2m in claims reported to NFU Mutual.

In a positive sign of coordinated action against thieves, the total claims cost for agricultural vehicle thefts fell 9% to an estimated £10.7m in 2023.

However, livestock theft remained high, costing an estimated £2.7m across the UK. There were also several incidents last year where animals were butchered in fields.