THE Prime Minister has praised a system set up by Epping Forest neighbourhood police team to warn farmers about crime.

A chain of more than 80 farmers across the district was created by Crime Reduction Officer Tony Ellis to circulate information about suspicious behaviour on farms.

Speaking at a crime conference in London, Gordon Brown said he now wants: "every area to consider using mobiles and email to give people instant advice on safety and any other crime or anti-social behaviour problems that worries them."

The initiative was set up in conjunction with the district council, in response to increased farm crime across the district.

Local farmers said the new system has been a success.

When it was launched in January, the Guardian reported that rural crime was still a problem.

We spoke to John Galloway who owns a farm in Theydon Bois and had a £6,000 quad bike stolen from his farm.

He said the system is now working well.

"We know that people have been caught and when someone suspicious is around then we can let others know," he said.

His brother Stewart said: "As far as I'm concerned it does work and it keeps us abreast of anything that is happening in the area as far as crime is concerned.

"We were burgled very early on in the day after it was set up but it was still helpful to tell other people and so they knew to look out for the same people.

"There seems to be evidence pointing to the fact that rural crime has reduced in the last couple of months."

James Saward from Patch Park Farm in Abridge was not convinced the system had reduced crime.

He said: "To be honest it comes and goes in fits and starts. I don't think it's gone away. We haven't had any trouble in the last month or so. It's better than nothing but what else can you do? It's got to be better than nothing."

Mr Ellis said the scheme had already been copied elsewhere in the county.

He added: "It's gradually widening out. The membership is up to 200 now and we have about 85 members in the district.

"There was one incident where a farmer stopped a man in a vehicle which was stuck in the mud. They thought he might be suspicious and sent me the information which I then circulated. About a week later some police officers saw the vehicle and checked it and found diesel in the back and a pump used to steal diesel from farms. It's working very well."