PAINTING batteries pink is being recommended by police in a crackdown on thefts.

Country Watch officers are urging rural communities to Paint it Pink in a new campaign.

The recommendation is to etch your postcode on to any high value batteries and paint them pink.

Batteries such as those used in vehicles and for electric fences can be a popular choice for thieves, who sell them at scrapyards for their lead content.

The team is writing to scrap metal merchants today (January 9) to ask them to reject and report any pink batteries offered to them.

Police staff investigator Melody Manning said: "Batteries are often stolen from barns, outhouses, yards and fields, as well as electric fences, temporary traffic lights, vehicles and caravans.

"Battery theft costs owners hundreds of pounds and, in some cases, can lead to livestock escaping. We're urging people to paint their batteries pink to help tackle this costly crime."