Communities across Perth and Kinross are linking up in the fight against crime.
Launched this week in Kinross, one of the aims of the Community Watch scheme is to improve the flow of information between the local community, police and other Community Safety Partnership agencies working locally.
Sharing information and advice can help prevent crimes, making the gathering of information simpler and help link together a community spread across a wide geographic area.
The system works by members of the community signing up, choosing from a list of options for the type of information they would like to receive. When a message is posted to the system, those who have selected the relevant criteria will immediately receive an email. People who are already registered with Neighbourhood Watch will automatically receive messages
Chief Inspector Mike Whitford, Police Commander for Perth and Kinross, welcomed the scheme which will be available in the communities of Kinross-shire, Strathallan, Strathearn, Strathmore, Blairgowrie, Glens, Carse of Gowrie, Almond, Earn and Highland Perthshire.
“The roll out of Community Watch in rural Perth and Kinross builds upon the success of a pilot which has been running in Highland Perthshire since October 2014 and has proved itself to be an effective and valuable communication tool in keeping communities informed towards, in turn, keeping them safe,” he said.
“Communities can receive e-mails on crime in their area along with valuable crime prevention advice which could cover anything from fuel/machinery thefts, wildlife crime, vandalism or reports of suspicious activity.
“Communities will also benefit from information from several other agencies all with the aim of community safety. We are proud to be part of this initiative and its continued success and would urge those living in rural Perth and Kinross to register for this service.”
Councillor Douglas Pover, convener of the community safety and environment delivery group, said: “The system has proved itself to be a cost effective and efficient way of communicating with our communities, providing crime prevention information, appeals for information in relation to crimes, providing timely information in response to adverse weather, as well as acting as a public reassurance tool.”
The scheme can be joined at www.pkcommunitywatch.co.uk.