A RETIREMENT village in Dunchurch has become the latest community to take a stand against rural crime.
Lime Tree Village has joined the Warwickshire Supported Villages Scheme, a police initiative which advises residents how to protect themselves against crime, and marks their property in the event it is stolen.
Residents at the retirement village have been working on the project with Rural Crime Officer Carol Cotterill, Rugby Neighbourhood Watch and PCSO David Banks of the Rugby Police Safer Neighbourhood Team.
A talk by various organisations on crime prevention and an event with information and advice have been held, while ‘Thieves Beware’ signs have been put up at the village gateways warning thieves they are entering an area where property is marked.
To mark the village’s new status, Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator David Rankin was presented with a crime prevention toolbox and a community box, which contain the necessary information and equipment for the village to hold further property marking and crime prevention events in the future.
The scheme is funded by Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe through the Rural Crime Project.
Mr Seccombe said: “Communities can play a major part in the fight against crime by ensuring they take sensible precautions to protect their valuables and ensure that everyone knows that the village as a whole is security conscious and working together with the local police to deter criminal activity.
“I’m delighted to welcome Lime Tree Village as the latest addition to this initiative to support rural communities.”
