Land owners from across the area - stretching from Guisborough and Newton-under-Roseberry to Brotton and Moorsholm - have got together to discuss how to tackle their problems.

Among the problems faced by farmers are theft, burglary, poaching, arson, vandalism, fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour.

The new Farmwatch scheme involves a computerised ring-round telephone system to report problems or suspicious people in the area.

Police contact

People who sign up to the scheme can also get free crime prevention advice, and guidance on where to apply for grants to help protect their property.

Local farmer, Graham Aldous, who chaired the meeting, said: "The whole point about Farmwatch is that the farm community can help ourselves, by talking to each other and by talking to the police."

Guisborough community PC Stuart Bell said: "We have got to address the issues facing the farming community and liaise with each other."

A previous initiative to combat rural crime was well supported and police and farmers hope the new scheme will help combat offenders.