VILLAGERS in Rugby are pulling together to protect their community from rural crime.
Bourton and Draycote are the latest villages to join the Supported Village Scheme funded by Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Seccombe.
The ‘Supported Village’ status demonstrates the community is not a soft touch for rural crime, with households being offered advice on protecting themselves against perpetrators.
The programme, part of the ‘Rural Crime Project’, aims to help communities with crime prevention action and advice, providing a sustainable scheme which can be maintained by the community.
A property marking evening was held where villagers were invited to bring items to be marked and receive crime prevention advice.
Marking can act as a deterrent, proof of ownership and help identify the item if it is offered for sale.
‘Thieves Beware’ signs are also now at both village gateways to indicate residents’ property is marked.
Both villages received boxes of information and equipment for the nominated contacts to support residents with further crime prevention.
Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip 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 see Bourton and Draycote as the latest additions to this successful initiative.”
Ann Morton from the Bourton Trust has thanked Mr Seccombe and the rural crime team.
She added: “Following a few burglaries in the village at the beginning of this year it made us a lot more aware of our property and how vigilant and careful we should all be. This is a great initiative and I hope it is well supported by the villagers of Bourton and Draycote.”
Visit www.warwickshireruralwatch.co.uk for more information.
