A NORTHALLERTON farmer has found himself at the forefront of agricultural crime prevention, following a major cash investment in his bright idea.

Brian Richmond has received funding from NorthStar Equity Investors to develop an innovative device which could help the farming community put a stop to the rising number of agricultural burglaries.

Mr Richmond and his business partner, John Evans, have received the funding to develop a mobile phone detection and blocking device specifically aimed at farmers with security problems. They have established a company, Know Limited, to explore the technology on Teesside.

Know Limited has received £60,000 from the North-East Proof of Concept Fund through NorthStar Equity Investors, the independent fund management company of NStar, a technology finance company set up by regional development agency One NorthEast in 2003.

The initial idea for the project came after Mr Richmond's farm was repeatedly burgled and police said the perpetrators were using mobile phones to help in committing their crimes.

Mr Evans said: "From his experience, Brian realised that, if he could find some way of detecting the mobile phone signals, he could monitor when criminals were entering his property and alert police."

Some of the North's leading telecommunications experts have come together to work on the project. Of the initial investment, £30,000 has already been allocated to a Newcastle University team developing the intellectual property element of the device.

Know Limited hopes to have produced its first prototype ready for testing in the next six months.

Richard Exley, fund manager for NorthStar Equity Investors, said: "This project highlights why the Proof of Concept Fund is so important. Brian had the seed of a brilliant idea and needed a cash investment to take it to the next level. We have stepped in and provided the cash and the support structure to make this happen. We are very excited about this project."

Know Limited has also received support from Tees Valley Regeneration and Codeworks.

Anyone in the farming community interested in the project should contact Mr Evans on 01609 881166 or 07831 800350.