Farm Watch Scheme is relaunched by PSNI

Farm Watch is a rural initiative supported by the Ards and North Down Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP). It is delivered by the PSNI’s neighbourhood policing teams and Crime Prime Prevention Officer in the Borough of Ards and North Down

Figures from the PSNI’s recently published Agricultural and Rural Crime in Northern Ireland Report indicate a fall in incidents through Northern Ireland but in Ards and North Down, reported incidents doubled from 6 to 12 in the past year.

Farm Watch is a regional initiative that aims to address concerns raised by the rural communities across the Borough providing them with a range of support to help reduce the risk of becoming a victim to rural crime.

The Chair of the PCSP, Councillor Nick Mathison, said: “I encourage the public to listen to the PSNI advice and take the simple steps to keep themselves and their neighbours safe from becoming victims of burglary. Remember, if you see anything suspicious, please report it to the police immediately.”

SNI Superintendent, Brian Kee, said: “We are committed to reducing rural and agricultural crime and want to work with farmers and communities in finding ways to reduce opportunities for crime to occur.

“Farm Watch is a good deterrent and I would urge members of the farming community in Ards and North Down Borough to sign up to this local scheme.”

UFU Ards Group Chair, Fergal Watson, said: “Rural crime is an ongoing concern for every farming family and the Farm Watch scheme will help provide extra security for our farmers in the Ards and North Down area.”

For more information, visit ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/pcsp.