Plans by Devon and Cornwall's new Police and Crime Commissioner to deploy more special constables in rural areas have been welcomed by organisations tackling crime in the countryside.
They say the perceived lack of police cover in isolated rural areas has encouraged thieves to target farms and small businesses.
The proposal is part of the Commissioner Tony Hogg's policing plan for the Devon and Cornwall force - which also includes raising the policing element of council tax by two per cent to halt the decline in the number of officers.
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