ISOLATED residents in remote parts of the district are being urged to join a police email network to tackle crime.

The rural communities email family will allow people in villages and hamlets to share information and get crime prevention advice.

The move follows the success of a similar group set up for the district’s farmers two years ago, which has attracted more than 150 members.

Rosemary Padfield, who runs Rolls Farm in Magdalen Laver near Ongar, is chairwoman of the farmer's group.

Mrs Padfield, 59, said: “People living in rural communities are isolated, so this is a way of working together with the police to become their eyes and ears in the more remote areas.

“It also helps make the police aware of the problems we face in rural areas, which are very different to if you live in an urban area.

“Through the farmer's group people have become more vigilant and more aware of what information helps police – so instead of just taking down a suspicious car's registration number they'll make a note of the colour, make, model, a description of the occupants, and that sort of thing.”

The group is the brainchild of Epping Forest crime reduction officer Tony Ellis.

Mr Ellis said: “Good communication is so important in combating crime.

“We have had a number of convictions and have recovered stolen goods resulting from information from the farmer's group so we hope the new group will be as successful.”

To be added to the email group contact Tony Ellis at tony.ellis@essex.pnn.police.uk.