A TEAM of police specials aims to tackle rural crime in Cambridgeshire.

The dedicated rural specials team will support Cambridgeshire police's rural crime team to provide rural patrols across the county.

It will create a direct link between Cambridgeshire's rural communities and the county's police force via the special constabulary.

The new team will also provide visible reassurance to remote communities and businesses, says Cambridgeshire constabulary, supplementing the existing local area patrol officers.

Special Sergeant Tony Bolton, who is leading the team, told the Ely News: "This is an excellent opportunity for members of the Special Constabulary to support the rural community."

He added: "Rural communities and businesses face distinct types of crime traditionally found in remote areas, where specialised knowledge and dedicated patrols can achieve real results.

"Examples of these crimes include hare coursing, theft from farms and outbuildings, theft of machinery, straw stack arson along with other wildlife crime."

Based at the Huntingdon police headquarters, the team currently consists of Special Sergeant Tony Bolton and five constables.

Cambridgeshire has nearly 300 specials working alongside their regular colleagues and is actively recruiting more. It is envisaged that the number of specials will increase in the future.