Crimestoppers is behind a new initiative to tackle cross-border rural crime.

The independent charity has teamed up with police forces in Cumbria, Lancashire, North Yorkshire, Northumbria, Cleveland, and Durham for the campaign.

This is the first time Crimestoppers has run a joint campaign across these northern counties.

The aim is to identify and root out those responsible for crimes in neighbouring rural areas.

Criminals often travel long distances on roads such as the A66, A1, or M6 to carry out their crimes, causing misery and significant financial loss.

The campaign seeks to reduce these cross-border crimes by encouraging the public to anonymously report suspicious activity in rural areas.

There will also be tips on how to reduce the risk of having property targeted.

The campaign will focus on four types of crime: theft of quad bikes and farm machinery, theft of livestock, burglary, and poaching.

Gary Murray, North West regional manager at Crimestoppers, said: “Our charity is very aware of how damaging crime in rural areas can be to families, communities, rural businesses, farmers, wildlife and the local environment.

“Together we can help stop those who seek to travel across the north of England to carry out these crimes."

To report rural crime anonymously, people can visit Crimestoppers' website at Crimestoppers-uk.org, and fill in a secure online form, or call their 24/7 UK contact centre on 0800 555 111.

David Allen, Cumbria’s police, fire, and crime commissioner, said: "This is a crucial campaign to help us target those crossing borders to commit crimes against our rural communities.

"Cumbria is a rural county and tackling rural crime is one of my main priorities.

"Our police are working hard to tackle it but they do need the public’s help."

According to NFU Mutual's 2023 Rural Crime Report, rural crime in the UK rose by 22 per cent last year, costing an estimated £49.5m.

Crimestoppers has provided several suggestions to make properties and machinery more secure.

These include fitting tracking devices to vehicles and machinery, keeping vehicles locked away and out of sight, and installing CCTV or video doorbells.

In an emergency, people should always call 999.