The NATIONAL Farmers Union has partnered with the charity Crimestoppers to launch the Rural Crime Reporting Line, a service through which you can anonymously give information about four rural crimes.

Rural crime is on the rise and it is a serious issue for farmers, businesses and those who live in the countryside.

Whether it is fly-tipping, hare coursing, livestock theft or machinery theft, rural crime has a devastating effect on farms and other rural businesses.

A NFU spokesperson said: "Those responsible for this blight on our countryside are suspected of having links to organised crime. It is vital we bring them to justice.

That’s where you can help.

You can either call the dedicated Rural Crime Reporting Line on 0800 783 0137 or visit www.ruralcrimereportingline.uk to give information anonymously about one of these four crimes:

nLarge-scale, industrial fly-tipping

nHare coursing

nLivestock theft

nMachinery theft

The service was unveiled to MPs at a recent launch event in Westminster, where they were urged to encourage constituents to use the service and give information about these crimes in their area.

You can call the dedicated Rural Crime Reporting Line to give information anonymously about any one of the four crime types listed above, after the crime has been committed.

If a crime is in progress, there is an emergency, when there is danger to life or when violence is being used, you should call 999 immediately. If you don't need an emergency response, you can call 101.

To provide information on any of the crimes outlined above you can call the dedicated Rural Crime Reporting Line on 0800 783 0137 or visit www.ruralcrimereportingline.uk to give information which will be treated anonymously.