VICTIMS of rural crime and anyone interested in helping to tackle it have been urged to take part in a new scheme.

The National Rural Crime Network has started a new online resource to help crack down on rural crime, and needs to hear from anyone with an interest in keeping rural communities safe.

Julia Mulligan, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire, is also the chair of the network and said the new site would be a resource allowing people to learn from other areas.

She said: "This new website will allow people from across the country to share their experiences, discuss issues and learn from each other without leaving their own communities. It lets people find out what schemes work best, and then get those shared quickly throughout England and Wales so everyone can benefit.

"For the first time, rural crime can be discussed in one place and without geographic boundaries, allowing national trends to be identified and, when appropriate, national policies to be developed. This website will provide the latest news, research and opinion, and work is already underway to undertake the country’s largest rural crime survey ever."

Mrs Mulligan said the new site would only work if people got behind it and got involved.

To find out more go to NationalRuralCrimeNetwork.net or follow the NRCN on Twitter at @NationalRCN