Rural crimefighters take to the tractor

Police in the UK are using a tractor to help combat rural crime.

Dorset Police have unveiled a 3.5-tonne machine which is decorated in a similar pattern to their squad cars and comes complete with blue flashing lights.

Dorchester and Sherborne Neighbourhood Inspector Les Fry explained the vehicle has been introduced as a part of doing "everything possible" to cut down crime in the countryside.

He said: "We will be displaying it at shows and events in Dorset where we aim to engage with rural communities to make sure they do everything possible to reduce crime and make themselves less likely to become victims of rural crime.

"We hope this partnership will bring to the community's attention the increasing cost of rural crime."