Police hope the creation of a special task force in the Weald will thwart rural crime.

Power tools, quad bikes and fuel, such as domestic heating oil and red diesel, top the target list for thieves, according to research from the NFU Mutual farming insurance company.

Although the county’s rural crime figures have flatlined, it remains the fourth worst affected area in the UK and costs the local economy £1.8 million a year.

In the past six weeks, vandalism in Marden has also spiked.

Kent Police received nine reports of cars being vandalised with most of these having their windows smashed with large stones.

In response to this a camera has been installed near the junction of the High Street and Maidstone Road.

Kent Police Deputy Chief Constable Paul Brandon said: “We have a rural strike team to tackle organised criminals operating in rural areas, and a team of dedicated rural Special Constables – many of whom are farmers and land agents themselves, with an in-depth knowledge of rural issues.

“This work saw the number of vehicles stolen from rural areas down 4% from 2012 to 2013.

“But we are not complacent and a new rural crime task force is being launched later this year.”

Police have admitted that some villages in the Weald are a particular challenge to the force as they are so far from the nearest station.

A Hawkhurst Parish Council spokesman welcomed plans for the task force.

She said: “Theft of fuel from residents’ cars has been something that appears to have been on the up in the past year. Due to the fact it often happens during the night, it has proved hard to police.”

Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate for Maidstone and the Weald, Jasper Gerard, also backed the plan.

He said: “There has been a period where anti-social behaviour increased in the area as people thought they could get away with it because of low levels of policing.

“Rural crime often develops into more serious offences. The new task force is crucial to nip these type of offences in the bud.”

Canterbury-based NFU Mutual agent James Hodge said: “Our experience with people who live and work in rural areas of Kent clearly shows that theft is more than just a setback – it can be devastating for businesses and families.”