A "Rural army" has been recruited in the Vale of York in a new offensive against poachers and burglars.

Since it was launched just two months ago, more than 200 people in the Easingwold area have signed up for Valewatch - a spin-off from Neighbourhood Watch and Farmwatch schemes.

Split into four geographical groups, members go out on patrol and report anything suspicious to police.

No arrests have been made so far, although officers are following up a number of leads.

Valewatch is the brainchild of Thirsk-based Inspector Val Broadley, who is overwhelmed by the response to the crime-prevention scheme.

She said: "We are doing eyes and ears patrols all over the place. It's great from the police's point of view. They are passing on information and intelligence from all over the area."

Recruits flocked to Valewatch, concerned about the level of break-ins to sheds and outhouses and the problem of poachers.

There were 203 reported non-domestic burglaries in the Thirsk and Easingwold police area between April 1997 and January this year - up 12 per cent on figures two years ago.

Insp Broadley said: "I would not like to give the impression that crime was rampant in the Easingwold area. There is less chance of having a crime committed than in a lot of other areas. What we are doing is just trying to protect what we can."

She added: "We have lost four by four motorbikes and vehicles and garden machinery, lawnmowers and tools."

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