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Country Watch project to protect rural communities on the Isle of WightPolice on the Isle of Wight are starting a new campaign to create stronger links with rural communities. The 'Country Watch' concept brings together different aspects of rural policing in a single initiative to help prevent crime and reassure residents and businesses.
It combines previous campaigns such as Horse Watch and Farm Watch, and current specialist roles including hunt liaison, wildlife crime and equine liaison.
There are eight Country Watch police officers and staff who already live and work on the island with existing expertise and experience in rural policing. They include Isle of Wight Country Watch co-ordinator Sergeant Mark Lyth.
Sergeant Lyth said: "This project is the rural equivalent of Neighbourhood Watch. Its purpose is to encompass all rural and remote communities on the island to encourage a greater exchange of information that can stop and solve crimes swiftly and effectively.
"Country Watch officers visit land owners, farmers, rural businesses and remote neighbourhoods to invite them to become official members of the scheme."
This involves police asking people if they wish to provide the following details:
● Properties and businesses they run or the land they own and its uses. ● Types of equipment and supplies used or stored on their land or premises. ● People allowed to use the land routinely and regularly. ● Permission for police patrols to use private land so any suspicious activity reported can be monitored by officers.
Information can be shared with the police through a dedicated email address iow.countrywatch@hampshire.pnn.police.uk. This email is in addition to the police's main non-emergency phone numbers 101 and 0845 045 45 45. In a life threatening emergency, always dial 999. If people wish to remain anonymous, phone the independent Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.
Sergeant Lyth added: "This system can allow police to communicate intelligence and information quickly and efficiently at short notice. For example, descriptions of people and vehicles suspected of being involved in suspicious behaviour at farms or in rural neighbourhoods. The dedicated Country Watch officers also keep victims and key witnesses informed about the progress of enquiries.
"There are low levels of crime on the Isle of Wight, but we are never complacent in wanting to reinforce our work with all communities so people can feel safe and have confidence in the police to act on the concerns they raise."
Three Country Watch officers will be at SCATS Countrystores at Blackwater near Newport on the Isle of Wight between 10am and 2pm this Saturday (August 28, 2010). PC Tim Campany, PC Nick Massey and Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Justin Keefe will be speaking with members of the public about the initiative.
Police would like to thank SCATS Countrystores for their support and assistance in raising awareness of this campaign. |
Contact Belinda Walters
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Belinda Walters joined the CLA in May 2011 as Regional Director for the Isle of Wight. Belinda practiced as a solicitor until 2005, including 16 years with British Sky Broadcasting’s legal department. Her work prior to joining the CLA was a mixture of consultancy, running a self-catering and residential development and letting business and various voluntary work, including chairing the charity that runs the Seely Hall, Brook.
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