Seeking more eyes on rural crimewave (From Hereford Times)

Seeking more eyes on rural crimewave

8:00am Friday 10th July 2009 in

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TOTAL security on farms is almost impossible. Not everything can be kept under lock and key and so buildings, stock and crops in rural areas are vulnerable.

Fuel disappears from tanks, machinery can vanish out of sheds and baled straw has been taken from fields.

The police believe watchful eyes in rural communities could be the answer to cutting out some countywide crime, much of it currently going unreported.

West Mercia Police are planning a meeting to extend the Farmwatch scheme, particularly targeting areas round Ledbury.

It already operates in Coddington, Colwall, Bosbury and Mathon but the force is anxious to recruit ‘eyes’ from Eastnor, the Marcles, the Fromes, the Eggletons and Putley following a rise in crime around these villages lately.

Local police officer Debbie Hughes said: “We hope an improved flow of information between local farming and rural communities and the police will produce better informed and protected communities.

“And it can give the police good intelligence that enables them to reduce and detect crime more effectively.

“We want to stimulate a greater awareness of what’s happening in the area so people can keep an eye out for suspicious activity and improve their security where appropriate,” she said.

The Farmwatch meeting will take place at Colwall Village Hall on Tuesday, July 21, at 7-30pm and all are welcome.

For further information, contact the Ledbury Rural local policing team on 0300 333 3000.