Durham Constabulary has appointed the country's first Rural Liason Officer.

PC Kevin Hall, the officer who will focus solely on tackling rural crime, serving rural communities in County Durham, took on the roll in late 2012.

Speaking at the beginning of the year, PC Hall said he hoped to address the concerns of farmers and rural residents, who are worried that police resources have been concentrated in urban regions, leaving those in the countryside vulnerable to crime.

According to statistics from NFU Mutual, the cost of rural crime increased 5 percent between 2010 and 2011, the last years for which figures are available. Although a breakdown of rural crime data reveals theft of traditional prime targets such as machinery and vehicles fell, theft of livestock, fuel and metal is reportedly rising.

The effects of recession continue to be felt in Britain, and rises in meat prices have led to livestock theft being seen as a lucrative 'soft option'.

However, Farm Watch schemes and improved communications technologies have enabled rural residents to share and access information about potential risks as they occur, and police forces have urged farmers and residents of isolated areas to join schemes and take appropriate security measures to deter would-be thieves.