GLOUCESTERSHIRE’S Police and Crime Commissioner has signed up to a new initiative aimed at tackling rural crime.

Martin Surl is one of 18 PCC's across the country to join the new National Rural Crime Network and another eight are considering signing up.

Once established the NRCN will provide an online resource for police and other community safety practitioners to work together and share information to help tackle crime and suspicious behaviour in rural communities.

“Recent events within our county have shown just how vulnerable some individuals may feel at times and I hope this will show how seriously I regard the issue of rural crime,” said Mr Surl.

“Establishing a National Rural Crime Network will make it easier for the police and others who protect the countryside to share best practice and enable us to challenge rural crime in Gloucestershire even more successfully.”