THE FIGHT against crime in the district has been boosted thanks to a new scheme to tackle issues in rural areas and among businesses.
South Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership has launched the project, which has seen the appointment of two new business and rural crime liaison officers.
Ian White has been allocated to petrol the Malvern Hills District and share the workload in Worcester along with Clive Parsons who is also responsible for the Wychavon area.
Simon Thompson will oversee the scheme, which aims to offer support and crime prevention advice to rural communities and businesses.
The team, which has more than 70 years of experience in policing between them, will also be responsible for helping to set up schemes such as horse, farm and shop watch.
Bill Longmore, West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner, has funded the £200,000 scheme and has pledged to invest £1.5million tackling rural and business crime.
Some of the money is also being spent on new CCTV cameras which can be used to help catch fly-tippers and other criminals.
The National Farmers Union estimates rural crime cost £890,000 in Worcestershire during 2014 while nationally business crime costs £511million a year.
Richard Morris, South Worcestershire’s community ambassador for West Mercia Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “The new team has extensive experience in investigating and preventing crime and will be a valuable asset in developing solutions to drive down crime and provide support to the business and rural communities.”
For more information about the business and rural crime scheme email [email protected] or call 07721 919784 on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
