Community Watch works by members of the community signing up to the system, choosing from a list of options for the type of information they would like to receive. When a message is posted to the system, those who have selected the relevant criteria will immediately receive an email.
Community Watch will be available to the communities of Kinross-shire, Strathallan, Strathearn, Strathmore, Blairgowrie, Glens, Carse of Gowrie, Almond, Earn and Highland Perthshire.
Councillor Douglas Pover, Convener of the Community Safety & Environment Delivery Group, said: “The system has proved itself to be a cost effective and efficient way of communicating with our communities, providing crime prevention information, appeals for information in relation to crimes, providing timely information in response to adverse weather, as well as acting as a public reassurance tool. I’m thrilled that the pilot test was a success and that we are able to roll the system out to the wider Perth and Kinross Community.”
Chief Inspector Mike Whitford, Police Commander for Perth and Kinross, said “The roll out of Community Watch in rural Perth and Kinross builds upon the success of a pilot which has been running in Highland Perthshire since October 2014 and has proved itself to be an effective and valuable communication tool in keeping communities informed towards, in turn, keeping them safe. Communities can receive e-mails on crime in their area along with valuable crime prevention advice which could cover anything from fuel/machinery thefts, wildlife crime, vandalisms or reports of suspicious activity. In addition, communities will also benefit from information from several other agencies all with the aim of community safety. We are proud to be part of this initiative and its continued success and would urge those living in rural Perth and Kinross to register for this service.”
You can join Perth and Kinross Community Watch by visiting www.pkcommunitywatch.co.uk
Attending the launch will include representation from all organisations signed up to Community Watch, Councillor Douglas Pover, Convener of the Community Safety & Environment Delivery Group and Chief Inspector Michael Whitford.
In October 2014 Rural Watch was launched as a pilot scheme in Highland Perthshire. The scheme proved to be successful and on March 20 2015 the Community Safety & Environment Delivery Group approved a further roll out of the scheme. To make it more inclusive it was decided that the initiative would change its name to Community Watch.
On April 30, Rural Watch will officially become Community Watch and everyone who has previously signed up will automatically be moved over to the new system and will not be required to re-register.
