This week sees the launch of the Country Watch website – a ‘one-stop rural resource centre’ for all things related to rural crime in Dorset.
The Country Watch website has been put together after receiving feedback from the rural community that they spent a lot of time on different websites trying to find out information when it came to rural issues and they wanted one place to go to, to find out how to do relatively simple things – like report fly-tipping for example – so now there is a simple, quick and easy way to find the information and links needed.
As part of the Police and Crime Plan, earlier this year, the Rural Crime Reduction Board (RCRB) was implemented, with an aim not only to make Dorset the safest county but to lead the way in preventing and reducing rural crime.
The RCRB gives partner agencies and organisations such as Dorset Council, Dorset Police, the Environment Agency, Dorset Wildlife Trust and the NFU, amongst others, the opportunity to work together and share knowledge and best practice, to better support Dorset’s rural communities.
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said: “The website is a prime example of the RCRB working together in partnership to respond to the needs of the rural community and give the people of Dorset the opportunity to find out more about crime prevention, how to report heritage crime or wildlife crime for example and how and where to get proactive advice and support if they are a victim of crime.
“I set up the Rural Crime Reduction Board to break down silo-working in the hope of making life a little easier for our rural communities, and to show that we can all work together to tackle issues that blight the everyday lives of many of our residents.”
“I want to thank all the members of the RCRB for their commitment to work alongside each other – we are stronger together and we will be able to make a positive difference to the lives of Dorset residents by the work we undertake together. “
“So, I would invite you to take a look at the website countrywatchdorset.co.uk to find out more about how we are tackling rural crime and the work of the RCRB.”