Rural crime-fighting scheme launched in East Surrey (From Redhill And Reigate Life)

Rural crime-fighting scheme launched in East Surrey

12:37pm Tuesday 9th March 2010

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A scheme has been launched to help fight rural crime across East Surrey.

Country Watch has been launched in Reigate and Banstead by East Surrey Police, designed to give rural communities instant access to information to help combat rural criminals.

The system has been introduced by Surrey Police to improve the way local Safer Neighbourhood police communicate with sometimes geographically isolated sections of the community.

The system's fast-time SMS text alert system allows the Safer Neighbourhood Team to instantly notify those signed up to the scheme with details of crimes, suspicious incidents and activity.

There will also be a regular newsletter.

Safer Neighbourhood Sergeant Nicky Clark said: "Our neighbours in Tandridge and Mole Valley have run Country Watch successfully for a couple of years and I am really pleased that we have launched the Country Watch scheme in the Reigate and Banstead borough rural community.”

Sgt Clark said: "It has proved to be an excellent way to improve communication between the rural communities and their Safer Neighbourhood Teams.

“Country Watch will mean we can link in with farmers, landowners, game keepers, the equestrian community, wildlife officers and everyone else who works in the rural areas.”

She added: "Country Watch is an important way of working with the rural community to help prevent and detect crime.

“It also provides a direct link for them to report suspicious behaviour quickly to Surrey Police, and for us to alert others in the rural community."

Reigate and Banstead Neighbourhood Inspector Charlotte Rimmer said: "The fast- time alert system is a great way of combining technology with informing the community what is going on in their area.

“Nicky and her team are determined to improve and enhance links with the rural community and Country Watch is a tool which will enable them to inform members effectively and quickly of emerging issues in the countryside."

To join the scheme applicants need to contact Sergeant Clark who will issue them with the relevant documents.

Once signed up to the scheme, in order to report crimes or suspicious incidents, members must contact Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222.

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