14
Jan
2015
By Calvin at 10:18 GMT, 11 years ago
Our friends in Durham Constabulary have started using a new, literally, eye-catching poster to warn thieves who target countryside properties that they are being watched.
The campaign, which began on 9 January in the Consett area, will see the striking posters go up across key locations in a bid to drive down rural crime.
PC Scott Crowhurst, from the neighbourhood policing team, said: “Thefts from rural properties have been on the increase recently, causing significant concern for local people.
“We have a great community who are keen to protect their space and we need their help to do this. They are our eyes and ears on the ground.
“The posters we’ve designed have been proven to work well in reducing crime in other areas. We’ll be putting them up in key locations across Consett and its surrounding rural villages as a very clear warning to criminals.
“Our message to those people is very clear; we have a team of people who are on the look-out for anything or anyone suspicious. Thieves attempting to steal from properties here will be spotted, the police will be alerted and they will be caught.
“We are also working with local people to ensure that their property is fully secured. We will be offering words of advice about how best to store items of value and discussing with them the impact that not doing so can have on household insurance. We will also be installing shed alarms where needed.”
For further information, please contact the Consett neighbourhood policing team by calling 101.
TCPW Comment: Those staring eyes are very much in vogue at the moment and I believe they were originally used last year on a small billboard overlooking some cycle racks (can’t remember where now, sorry). Since then they’ve also been used in Westminster to prevent thefts of mopeds. There is some evidence to suggest that used in the right place for the right problem they do seem to have a crime prevention effect, so good luck to the Durham police. Best keep an eye out for them.
Source Durham Constabulary: https://www.durham.police.uk/news-and-events/Pages/News%20Articles/Eye-catching-posters-target-rural-thieves.aspx
