A campaign has been launched to encourage more people to report crime in the countryside.

Nearly one third of all reported crime in Essex is classed as rural, with violence the most common type.

Indepedent charity Crimestoppers received 6,000 reports of crime in Essex from March 2017 to March 2018, leading to 500 people arrested and charged.

The charity gives people the power to speak up and stop crime 100 per cent anonymously, 24-hours-a-day.

Chairman of Crimestoppers in Essex Stuart Rawlins said: “Crime in the countryside impacts on those in villages and those who live and work in the countryside as well as having a significant effect on the farming community.

“In countryside communities, people tend to know who’s who and they may have information about crime which could be important. It could also mean they won’t want to tell police because they fear reprisals.

"Crimestoppers charity can give them reassurance thanks to our guarantee of anonymity.”

The UK Contact Centre's number is 0800 555 111