COMMUNITIES and local police are working to tackle rural issues.

On Friday (17 January), Evesham Safer Neighbourhood Team and Rural and Business Crime officers launched ‘South Worcestershire Rural Watch’ which sees local communities work together.

The aim of the initiative is to encourage members of the rural business community and farmers to be more vigilant and to report any suspicious information or anything that seems out of the ordinary in their local community.

Local businesses and farmers will work alongside police to help police gather information and intelligence.

The launch forms part of the Police and Crime Commissioners wider Rural Focus campaign, aimed at making rural communities feel more connected.

South Worcestershire’s Rural and Business Officer, Mick Simpson, said: “The benefit of a watch scheme is the intelligence gathered and reported by the local community.

“PC Paul Brown and the SNT officers at Evesham are passionate about helping get the rural business and farming community together, and launched the South Worcestershire Rural Watch, on Friday, at the Talis Amos Group.

“PCC John Campion, business owners and members of the rural community supported the event and found out more about what the new group can achieve when working together in the community.

“Good intelligence can aid investigations and potentially result in disrupting criminals, such as seizing a vehicle with no insurance or the effective use of police powers of stop and search.

To find out more about Rural Watch contact Mick Simpson via email michael.simpson@westmercia.pnn.police.uk