West Lancashire MP Rosie Cooper has pledged her support to the 'Rural Crime Reporting Line', a new service for farmers and the public to give information anonymously about rural crime.

Launched by the National Farmers’ Union, in partnership with the charity Crimestoppers, farmers, rural businesses and the public can ring 0800 783 0137 or visit www.ruralcrimereportingline.uk to anonymously give information about crime relating to:

· large-scale, industrial fly-tipping

· hare coursing

· machinery theft; or

· livestock theft

Rural crime is a serious issue for farmers, rural businesses and those who live in the countryside, and it can have significant impacts on a farm or another rural business.

Said Cooper: “Rural crime can have devastating impacts and I recognise that is a very important issue for many of my West Lancashire constituents. I fully support this new initiative by the NFU and commend them for their ongoing work to tackling these serious issues.

“I am committed to working with the NFU in our efforts to tackle rural crime and begin to rid this blight on our countryside.”

NFU Deputy President Guy Smith added: "The NFU has teamed up with the charity Crimestoppers to provide a service for farmers and the public to give information anonymously about these crimes. With relevant information being passed to the police, this service could help to provide key leads in the pursuit of these criminals.

“I want to encourage anyone who has experienced, witnessed or has any information about these rural crimes to come forward and call the line - your information could be extremely valuable."