A DATABASE to fight farm crime which was launched last year in north Lancashire is to be rolled out across Cumbria.

The project, originally set up by Lancashire Police and the National Farmers’ Union, with the backing of Home Secretary Theresa May, is looking to turn the region into a no-go area for thieves.

The initiative brings together farmers, auctioneers and the police to combat at livestock and machinery theft.

The Lancashire scheme's costs - 50p per head per day for sheep and £2 per head per day for cattle - are being covered by NFU Mutual and Cumbria's scheme is set to be covered in the same manner.

J36 Rural Auction Centre at Crooklands is already involved in the initiative as part of North West Auctions, which also runs Lancaster's mart.

NFU said livestock and farm machinery theft is on the rise, but the joint bodies hope to build a comprehensive picture of rural crime by logging even the smallest offences which are said to often go unreported.

The scheme is being headed in Lancashire by John Taylor, NFU Lancashire county chairman, who said: “Previous to the database being set up a police officer stopping a livestock wagon full of sheep would be more interested in the vehicle’s lights and brakes than the stock because it is more familiar ground.

“Now it’s different. If the officer suspects something fishy regarding the livestock being moved, via the database they can request for a farmer to accompany them under the jurisdiction of the police. The police officer is much better off now with the assistance of a hands-on expert in the form of a farmer and access to animal movement.”

Tim Price, rural affairs specialist at NFU Mutual, said: “This will send a clear message to thieves that stealing livestock is not a crime that is unlikely to be traced and we’ll see insurance claims falling as we have with machinery in areas with strong farm watch groups.”

The initiative in Cumbria will be led by Kirkby Stephen sheep breeder Alan Alderson, who said: "Sheep theft in Cumbria is an ongoing problem that we are not getting on top of. We need the eyes and erars of everyone in the rural community if we are to fight it."