[caption id="attachment_4442" align="aligncenter" width="500"]
Left to Right:- Farmers Elgan Evans, Dilwyn Evans, Rhydian Evans and Marion Evans, with PC Hefin Jones, PCSO Glenda Jones Adrian Evans, William Evans and Rhys Davies[/caption]
The Farmers' Union of Wales has joined forces with Dyfed-Powys Police, Ceredigion County Council and NFU Cymru to urge rural communities to be vigilant over increasing farm thefts.
This week's Farm Watch launch in the county of Ceredigion will address a variety of issues including livestock thefts and will encourage members of the farming community to be vigilant, pool their inside knowledge and report any suspicious activity to the police.
FUW's Ceredigion county executive officer Adrian Evans said: "Sheep thefts in Wales have escalated significantly in recent years and many of our members have suffered major losses as a result of these.
"Farm Watch is free to join and will help improve communication between farmers and the police in order to reduce the opportunities for crime and vandalism.
"The success of Farm Watch depends upon local farmers and their support and input. We need as many people involved as possible to establish a two-way flow of information where all suspicious activity or crimes are reported. This way crime patterns can be identified and potential targets advised and warned," said Mr Evans.
Dyfed-Powys Police neighbourhood policing team officer Constable Hefin Jones said: "These are serious offences which can have a significant impact on the livelihood of the victims and the rural community at large.
"We are working with our partners to further call on residents to remain vigilant. Where possible, police officers will be stepping up patrols across the local area and making vehicle stops in a bid to provide reassurance to members of the farming community.
"Farm Watch will inform members of recent thefts - and encourage members of the farming community who haven't joined the scheme to get in touch.
"Officers are also urging people who see any suspicious activity in the area to call police as all matters will be fully investigated," added Mr Jones.
Ceredigion Council's senior animal health inspector William Evans said: "Farm Watch will enable officers to advise farmers on issues such as crime prevention and provide access to other partnership agencies who can help with the challenges they face.
"A key issue is animal welfare. This type of crime has a significant impact on the transportation and slaughter of the livestock, which is of a major concern."