NORTH Yorkshire Police has been shortlisted for a national award for its pioneering use of social media to fight rural crime.

The force is one of three finalists in the running for Social Media Campaign of the Year at the Digital Entrepreneur Awards 2015.

The award aims to recognise “social media campaigns and everyday practices that display a sophisticated understanding of online communication”.

North Yorkshire Police’s online rural crime campaign aims to fight crime in rural areas by using social media to pass on warnings and encourage people to follow good crime prevention measures.

The campaign is centred around North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Crime Hub webpage and network of Twitter and Facebook accounts. The campaign highlights different topics at different times of year, such as sheep worrying and the theft of valuables left in cars parked in beauty spots.

Social media is also used to promote North Yorkshire’s volunteer Rural Watch and Borderwatch schemes, encouraging new members to join and publicising their excellent work.

Chief Inspector Nick Hunter, rural crime lead at North Yorkshire Police, said: “With 6,000 miles of roads and the largest police force area in England, support from the public is vital in the fight against rural crime. Our online rural crime campaign aims to ensure that residents are kept up-to-date with incidents in their area and take steps to protect their homes and property, and highlights the valuable contribution of our Rural Watch volunteers.”