The Initiative
Building the UK's First Farm Retail & Rural Intelligence Network
Project Scarecrow is a collaborative initiative created to help protect farm shops, farming and rural businesses through intelligence sharing, crime prevention and partnership working.
Managed and operated by Fortify Intelligence Ltd, the initiative brings together businesses, industry partners and professional expertise to create a stronger, safer and more connected rural community.
Our aim is simple: to prevent crime before it happens, support businesses when it does, and strengthen the resilience of the rural sector for the future.
Why We Created Project Scarecrow
Rural crime continues to evolve. Organised criminal groups increasingly target rural communities, farm retailers and agricultural businesses, often operating across multiple counties and regions.
Many businesses experience similar incidents, yet valuable information can remain isolated.
Project Scarecrow was established to bridge that gap by creating a trusted network where intelligence can be shared, analysed and used to protect others before they become victims.
Together, we can turn information into action
Our Mission
To create a collaborative network that empowers rural businesses through:
Intelligence sharing
Crime prevention
Professional investigative support
Partnership working
Business resilience
Community collaboration
Our mission is to reduce crime, improve awareness and build confidence across the rural business community.
Our Vision
We believe that every rural business deserves access to professional intelligence, practical support and trusted partnerships.
Our long-term vision is to establish the UK's leading intelligence network dedicated to protecting:
Farm Shops
Farming Businesses
Agricultural Retailers
Rural Hospitality
Rural Logistics
Food Producers
Independent Rural Businesses
The wider rural economy
Together, we can create safer businesses and stronger communities.
Powered by Partnership
Project Scarecrow recognises that no single organisation can tackle rural crime alone.
Success comes through collaboration.
We work to develop meaningful partnerships between businesses, policing, industry bodies, investigators, insurers and legal specialists, ensuring members have access to the expertise and support they need.
By sharing knowledge and working together, we can identify emerging threats earlier, improve prevention and achieve better outcomes for everyone.
Delivered by Fortify Intelligence Ltd
Project Scarecrow is proudly managed and operated by Fortify Intelligence Ltd, a specialist intelligence and investigations company providing professional services across multiple sectors, including retail, logistics, hospitality, online commerce, agriculture and rural business.
Fortify Intelligence Ltd provides the professional expertise behind the initiative, including:
- Crime intelligence development
- Investigative support
- Business risk assessments
- Crime prevention guidance
- Incident management
- Partnership coordination
- Access to civil recovery support through specialist legal partners
This ensures Project Scarecrow is built on professional standards while remaining community-focused and accessible to businesses of all sizes.
Together We Are Stronger
Every new member strengthens the network.
Every piece of shared intelligence helps protect another business.
Every partnership makes rural communities more resilient.
Project Scarecrow is more than an initiative—it's a commitment to protecting the people, businesses and communities that are the heart of rural Britain.
Building safer rural communities through intelligence, partnership and prevention.