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Criminals operating in the rural area around Congleton are being warned "We will be watching you!"

 

Cheshire Police are launching a massive expansion of the Rural Watch scheme for the area. A pilot project began last year and currently has fifty members but a new recruitment drive is under way. Officers expect dozens more people to sign up in the next few weeks.

 

 

 

 

                                                                                 Policing the countryside: PCSOs Sarah Jinks (left)and Deborah Willock

                                                                                                     

 

Police Community Support Officer Sarah Jinks said, "The Congleton Neighbourhood Policing Unit includes a large rural area. That means there are not just farms but stables, farm shops and all types of country businesses, as well as isolated homes.

"The fact that these places are out on their own makes them vulnerable to burglary, vehicle crime and the theft of tractors and agricultural plant.

 "Rural Watch is all about exchanging information. It links people by email and is based around a database which we keep up to date with warnings about crime patterns developing in particular areas, appeals for witnesses and other relevant information. We have also set up some partnership working with a local official of the National Farmers Union and he will send urgent messages around by text.

"We have had a lot of help with planning the project from P.C Mike Dawber who has been running a similar scheme in the Knutsford area for several years. The Rural Watch there has become a national model for this type of project. It has helped to catch criminals and recovered stolen property worth hundreds of thousand of pounds.

"It also acts as a real deterrent to travelling criminals, which is perhaps its greatest value of all.

"The area around Congleton is an ideal place for another successful Rural Watch scheme to operate. Rural crime can be beaten. Rural Watch is an important weapon for that."

 

Anyone in the rural areas of Congleton Neighbourhood Policing Unit who wants to sign up Rural Watch can contact Sara or Deborah by the Congleton NPT line 0845 458 6382 or email them on sarah.jinks@cheshire.pnn.police.uk or Deborah.willock@cheshire.pnn.police.uk

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