Dog Walkers asked to tackle crime

Dog walkers asked to tackle crime

Follow my lead: dog walkers are being urged to help combat crime
Police are appealing to dog walkers to help them fight crime and anti-social behaviour by reporting anything suspicious they spot out and about.
Owners are being invited to join Ceredigion Dogwatch, which is launched in Aberystwyth by Dyfed-Powys Police.

They are being encouraged to sign up for the Neighbourhood Watch-style scheme.

"It could be as simple as a case of fly-tipping or could be as serious as drug dealing," said Pc Hefin Jones.

Pc Jones, an officer with Aberystwyth Rural Policing Team who has been setting the scheme up with a colleague, came up with the idea after talking to a woman out walking her dog.

She mentioned that she had read about a "dogwatch" scheme run by the Metropolitan Police.

He contacted them and they sent him the packs they had distributed in one area under their scheme.



Dog walkers... tend to be out all hours of the day and in different locations

Pc Hefin Jones

"The aim is to provide extra eyes and ears in the Aberystwyth area to help reduce crime and fear of crime and thus improving the quality of life for everyone," said Pc Jones.

"It's based on a neighbourhood watch scheme but instead of utilising people who live in a certain area, you're utilising dog walkers - the reason being they tend to be out all hours of the day and in different locations."

He said people would not be expected to walk in areas which they were unfamiliar with, nor to walk their pets late at night.

"They will also not be expected to get involved in confrontational situations," he added.

"It is simply just a case of reporting what you see when you're out walking your dog."

The scheme will begin in the Aberystwyth area, but if it is successful police could set up other schemes, with a view to it eventually going force-wide.

The organisers will hold quarterly meetings and invite guest to talk about dog care and training.

Anyone interested in joining Dogwatch can contact the team on 0845 330 2000. Source: K9 news