SURREY Police is encouraging people, farms and businesses in remote areas of Waverley to sign up to a new scheme being set up to combat rural crime. Waverley Farmwatch, which will cover Farnham, Haslemere, Godalming and the surrounding villages, is being set up by Neighbourhood Specialist Officer Pc Damion Berridge, with members signing up to an email group which will enable them to share information about any suspicious incidents or crimes at their premises. All members will also be supplied with crime reduction advice and Farmwatch signs. Pc Berridge said: "Waverley includes a large rural area with a substantial number of farms, rural businesses and remote houses. People from these premises can often feel isolated and uninformed, feeling like they lack support when thousands of pounds worth of tractors, trailers, quad bikes and large machinery are being taken. "The Farmwatch scheme will help to ensure that the police and the rural community work together to combat rural crime. Those who sign up to the scheme will be fully involved and will have the confidence of knowing that when they supply information, it will be dealt with in a positive way. "This information, often detailed with full registration numbers, coupled with crime reduction advice and the display of the recommended Farmwatch signs, should hopefully lead to a decrease in crime. Less crime means fewer victims and less drain on police resources." Pc Berridge added: "Those who belong to the scheme also play an important part in the fight against crime by taking pro-active steps to protect their own property. Being a member also reduces opportunities for crime and vandalism and reduces the fear of crime, as well as improving the two-way communication between farmers and the police." Anyone interested in signing up to the new Waverley Farmwatch scheme, can email Pc Damion Berridge by contacting 2080@surrey. pnn.police.uk or 11874@ surrey.pnn.police.uk The Farmwatch scheme has been up and running in Cranleigh since last year and has already led to a dramatic fall in rural crime. The scheme boasts more than 30 members and has seen a number of tangible successes, including the recovery of a quad bike stolen from a farm in Cranleigh, which was returned to its owner after being found in Chichester. CCTV footage captured by a Farmwatch member proved extremely useful to officers investigating the theft of scrap metal; while another Farmwatch member in Dunsfold was making a late-night check of his property when he noticed a suspicious- looking pick-up truck. He noted its details and the truck was stopped in Guildford a few days later. The occupants, who were from Milford, were arrested for unrelated offences and their vehicle was also seized.