AN increasing black market in farm and garden machinery has led police and partner agencies to focus on criminals who target remote Dartmoor properties in a new campaign.

The Moorwatch campaign will use new technology alongside traditional community policing methods to crack down on crime across the moor.

Originally, Moorwatch was implemented to tackle crime against vehicles parked by moor users in remote locations, but thefts of expensive items like quad bikes, sit-on lawn mowers, horse tack and other equipment mean it has been extended to focus on other crime.

The last year has seen an increase in burglaries from garden sheds and outbuildings, mostly committed at night and involving a vehicle.

Sergeant Fran Bennett, crime reduction officer for Teignbridge, is working on the campaign. She said: 'Farming equipment is valuable and sought after by thieves as there is a ready black market.

'The moor suffers from other crimes such as theft from outbuildings and we urge the farming community, especially around Chagford and Moretonhamptstead, to be vigilant and to ensure all machinery and vehicles are secure when not being used.'

Moorwatch is a collaboration between the police, Dartmoor National Park, the fire service, local authorities and farming groups such as the Dartmoor Partnership and the Dartmoor Commoners Association.

'Although crime on the moor is relatively low in comparison to other parts of the country, the types of crime are very specific,' said Sgt Bennett.

'Much of the policing will be driven by the neighbourhood teams who will be supported by their patrol colleagues, but we will be using an Automatic Number Plate Recognition system (ANPR) to detect and deter known criminals.

'We are determined to keep Dartmoor the beautiful low crime area that it always has been for local residents and visitors.'