A helping hand in the fight against rural crime is being offered to farmers right across east Conwy with the launch of a Farm Watch scheme.
More farmers are now being encouraged to get on board and be the eyes and ears of the community and help drive down crime even further.
The call is being made by PC 1963 Einion Huws, who is the local Community Beat Manager for Betws yn Rhos and Llansannan and is part of the Neighbourhood Policing Team based in Abergele.
“The scheme has been well accepted and many farmers have already signed up to be members” said PC Huws, who has been out and about meeting residents in the rural communities. “Farmwatch is all about us working together with the community to protect property.”
He added: “Often, farmers have a great deal of property stored at various locations. Some of this equipment is portable and can be relatively easy to steal. With crime prevention advice and regular text updates that will keep Farm Watch members updated of crime trends and suspicious activity, it will undoubtedly help reduce the risk of members of the farming community becoming victims of rural crime.”
Vigilance and communication is key to the scheme. North Wales Police are encouraging people to report suspicious incidents as they happen, so that they can be shared with Farm Watch members. This will give rural residents and farming communities the vital intelligence they need to help protect them from crime
All who sign up to Farm Watch will receive:
- Regular and practical crime prevention advice to ensure property is kept as secure as possible
- A Farmwatch sign which will be placed on the outer gate of the farm/rural property belonging to the member
- An SMS text messaging service which will keep members updated with latest crime trends and any suspicious vehicles/ activity in the area
- A Farmwatch pack which includes a property marking set so that in the event of a theft it makes it harder for thieves to dispose of stolen goods.
One of the first to sign up and support Farm Watch is County Councillor Sue Lloyd-Williams, who welcomed the scheme. Cllr Lloyd-Williams was present at the launch together with PC Huws, Sgt Helen Madeley and Michael Kerridge who is the Agricultural Specialist and Senior SQP at the Farm and Pet Place in Abergele. The Farm and Pet Place have helped sponsor the scheme along with NFU, FUW, Conwy Community Safety Partnership and the Arson Reduction Team.
Sergeant Madeley added: “I encourage anyone who hasn’t joined our scheme and who feels it may be of benefit to contact PC 1963 Einion Huws at Abergele police station or by phoning 101. PC Huws and members of the local neighbourhood policing team are also on hand to give advice and also talk to anybody who has concerns in their area.”
