Farm Watch

The aims of Farm Watch are:
- To reduce opportunities for crime to occur in farming and rural
communities.
- To strengthen community spirit, so that everyone works together
to protect their property.
- To improve communication between the farming community and the
police.
- To encourage people to report suspicious incidents as they
occur
The services offered by the Farm Watch scheme
include:
- Practical crime prevention advice to farmers and landowners, to
help ensure their property and goods are as secure as
possible.
- A property marking scheme to make it harder for thieves to
dispose of stolen goods.
- A text alert service.
- A new and improved website section to keep members updated with
the latest crime trends and prevention tips.
The key aim of Farm Watch is to stress the importance of
vigilance and communication - both within rural and farming
communities and between rural communities and Sussex Police.
Chief Constable Richards said: "Since it was first set up in the
Horsham area in 2003, the Farm Watch scheme has gradually spread
across Sussex and is now an established, valuable resource to
Sussex Police in our fight against rural crime.
"Sussex Farm Watch already has about 1800 farmers registered,
who provide valuable support and assistance - both to other Farm
Watch members and to police officers who deal with rural crime.
"Farm Watch helps reduce opportunities for crime to occur in
farming and rural communities. Essential to this is encouraging
people to report suspicious incidents to the police as they occur
and also share the information with other Farm Watch members. As
well as helping to deter crime, this strengthens community spirit,
with everyone working together to protect their property.
"Farmers often have a great deal of capital spread over a large
expanse of land. Some stock and equipment is portable and can be
relatively easy to steal. Whilst property can never be made totally
secure, becoming a Farm Watch member undoubtedly reduces the risk
of becoming a victim of farming or rural crime.
"I'd encourage farmers, or any members of the rural community
who feel they may benefit, to sign up to Farm Watch as soon as
possible."
Want to sign up? Download the Farm Watch application form
To watch our video on rural crime, click here