Farmers across Cornwall are joining forces with the police in a bid to combat rural crime.

Two events, called Preventing Crime in Rural Communities, will take place in February and involve landowners, farmers, businesses.

Representatives of the Country Land and Business Association and the National Farmers’ Union will join Devon and Cornwall Police, together with experts from private security firms and specialist equipment suppliers.

The aim is to look at ways preventing crime in rural communities.

Bob Bunney, crime reduction advisor with Devon and Cornwall Police, said: “We are very keen to help people understand how to take control of the situation, to learn exactly how much they can do themselves to help reduce rural crime and then to offer clear information about how to act and who to contact.”

Rural crime costs millions of pounds of year and has an impact on both police resources and farmers’ insurance premiums, making it an issue that both sides are keen to tackle.

The events, which are sponsored by lawyers Foot Anstey and the NFU Mutual, will take place at Westpoint, Exeter on February 1 and at the Pavilion at the Royal Cornwall showground in Wadebridge on February 15.

Both events are free of charge and offer a ‘one-stop-shop’ style advice, with all information under one roof, as well as an exhibition and trade stands all focused on crime prevention.

Seminars will run on a “drop in” basis, with sessions throughout the day looking at different aspects of the law and the whole range of rural crime, from farm and estate security to wildlife and equestrian crime.

One focus of the day will be to look at whether owners and businesses are doing all they can to reduce opportunities for criminals.

Giving keynote speeches will be Assistant Chief Constable Paul Netherton, talking about the reality of rural policing and the options for the future, NFU vice president Adam Quinney and Country Land & Business Association (CLA) south west director John Mortimer.

To reserve a place at either of the events contact the CLA South West Office on 01249 700281 or online at www.regonline.co.uk/claswevents.