West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has urged local people to act and protect items which may be at risk from thefts in out-buildings or garden sheds. Both West Mercia Police and the National Farmers Union are running campaigns to make people aware of rural crime and the potential cost of losing valuable items stored outside of homes. Local people who live in remote and rural areas are urged to apply extra security measures which could deter or prevent crime and report people who are acting suspiciously. Local Safer Neighbourhood policing teams have published their mobile phone numbers allowing people to report concerns quickly and directly although urgent calls should still be directed to the 999 emergency line. Harriett commented: “Rural crime remains an issue and I raised the matter with the Chief Constable when I last met with him. I have been reassured that this remains a priority for local police, and neighbourhood teams are working hard to implement their own initiatives to prevent crime. “There is also a huge cost attached to the theft of vehicles from farms and out-buildings and last month the NFU carried out an awareness campaign to remind people living and working in rural communities of the need to lock property up to keep it safe. “We can all do our bit by keeping an eye out and reporting suspicious activity and Neighbourhood Watch schemes can be a huge help in preventing crime but each of us needs to do act by assessing what is at risk and if necessary get expert advice to prevent making it easy for criminals.” Local people can find out how to get involved or set up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme by visiting https://www.westmercia.police.uk/article/4529/Neighbourhood-Watch.