An action plan to tackle the issues being faced by rural communities is to be unveiled by Lincolnshire police.

Chief Constable Bill Skelly will announce new Rural Community Safety Strategy at a farmers' meeting Boston on Monday (25 June).

The strategy promises farmers and rural residents that they will receive a better service to help them feel protected and connected.

Lincolnshire Police say the new strategy makes the commitment to ensure that rural communities don't live in fear or feel isolated.

    See also: Fleet of 4x4 vehicles tackles rural crime

It is aimed at tackling issues such as hare coursing in farmer's fields, where victims have their livelihoods damaged and they and their families are subjected to violent threats.

As part of the strategy, the force also commits to tackling mindless damage to heritage sites and thefts from rural businesses and churches.

Mr Skelly says the force has invested in new 4x4s, quadbikes, a drone and night vision to boost its response and intelligence gathering.

"We are also improving the technology in our Automatic Number Plate Recognition Network (ANPR) so offenders can be more easily traced."

A rural advisory group – which residents can be a part of – aims to improve communication between local people and the police.

The Rural Community Safety Strategy is a three year plan that will see greater interaction between Lincolnshire constabulary and the public.

It will also prioritise effective and early intervention where criminals put victims at risk or cause them distress.

"Criminals also purposefully target vulnerable people with scams on their doorstep believing such crimes are invisible in the countryside," says Mr Skelly.

"Lincolnshire remains one of the safest counties in the country but we need to work closer with the rural community to ensure people never feel isolated or vulnerable.

"I have a duty to make sure every resident receives such protection and this is my commitment to those living in the countryside."

"Crimes in our countryside are not invisible, will not go unnoticed or undetected and our strategy may change to combat emerging trends.

"This is about making our rural communities feel safe, better connected and more confident."

Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones, who will accompany the chief constable to the meeting, said the new strategy has his full backing.

"If we can harness the power of the communities themselves to help in this drive then I am confident we can succeed together."