A CLAMPDOWN on rural crime has been launched by Cleveland Police.

Dedicated police officers will work other organisations, including the National Farmers Union, to improve the response to rural crime.

People rural areas are being encouraged to sign up to an information sharing service.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said officers will take part in large scale operations targeting travelling criminals, illegal hunting activity, and anti-social use of off-road vehicles which can cause damage to estates, destroy crops and harm livestock.

Improved communication and information sharing with adjacent forces has begun already.

Inspector Dan Maddison, from Cleveland Police Operational Support Department, said: “Cleveland Police Force area is predominantly urban but contains large areas of rural and farmland bordering North Yorkshire and Durham force areas.

"We have days of action planned where we will target and deal with offenders robustly.”