KINGTON police are looking to prevent rural burglary victims from being re-targeted with a new initiative.

‘Stop That Thief’ allows victims to trial new burglar prevention technology for three weeks, before deciding whether to return it or purchase it.

Launched last month, six people in the area have already taken up the offer.

Community Support Officer Dick Allford, who is behind STT in Kington, said it will help ease the fear of crime.

When a property has been burgled, it becomes more likely to be targeted – however, with the use of this technology, which instantly alerts the authorities, Dorset police managed to prevent 100 percent of victims being re-targeted for five years.

CSO Allford noted the success of the iniative and invited Dorset officers to help launch a similar scheme in Kington.

Funding for the scheme has come from the NFU at Kington and a committee of local landowners, who in turn are supported by the Herefordshire Crime Prevention Panel.