Commissioner meets with Rural Crime Team’s Horsewatch volunteers

Cheshire Constabulary’s Rural Crime Team are working hard to reduce rural crime and have been working with the county’s horse riders encouraging them to become the eyes and ears of the community under the ‘Horsewatch’ scheme.

Horsewatch members offer support to the Rural Crime Team, who are responsible for the reduction and prevention of rural, wildlife and heritage crime.

The scheme sees members encouraged to look out for and report any suspicious behaviour that they witness whilst riding their horses in the countryside and rural villages or at equine related shows. The information is then fed back to Cheshire Constabulary’s Rural Crime Team which enables them to target their patrols, gather intelligence or deal with the report as necessary.

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer, said:

“I was involved with the implementation of Horsewatch during my first term in office, and I am delighted that it is still running successfully.

“In my Police and Crime Plan I discuss my commitment to protecting Cheshire’s rural communities and the Horsewatch initiative mirrors this commitment. I believe building a strong relationship between residents and their local policing team is key to positive communities, so it is great to see the connections being developed through Horsewatch thanks to the Rural Crime Team and the volunteers.”

Nicola Smith, Police Community Support Officer for Cheshire Constabulary’s Rural Crime Team, said:

“The relationship that has been built with the equine community through Horsewatch has been really beneficial. The scheme broadens the number of people who are looking out for our rural communities. Horse riders can reach areas that don’t get much footfall or areas police can’t regularly patrol, which gives a much wider coverage of eyes and ears for the most remote areas of Cheshire.

“The scheme also benefits the equine community themselves as we feed information to members on equine related crime in the area and we are then able to share the information that they report back to us with other local residents. The more members we have, the greater the scheme can work.”

If you would like to join the Horsewatch scheme, you can sign up by emailing: 

Horsewatch@cheshire.police.uk 

...and a member of the Constabulary’s Rural Crime Team will be in touch with additional details.

John Dwyer added:

“With two thirds of Cheshire classed as rural, it is imperative that these communities feel supported and safe in their area. Crime committed in rural areas often has a significant impact on victims’ livelihood, as well as their personal life.

“I would like to thank the riders who have already signed up to Horsewatch and encourage those who have not yet got involved with this initiative to do so, it is a great opportunity to make a real difference in your community. I would also like to extend my thanks to the Rural Crime Team for their commitment to making Cheshire an even safer place to live, work and visit.”

Pictured - Police and Crime Commissioner, John Dwyer with Cheshire Constabulary Rural Crime Team, and members of the Horsewatch initiative.