New Farm Watch scheme for south Gloucestershire

Local representatives from the National Farmers’ Union in south Gloucestershire, along with Avon and Somerset Police and Avon Fire and Rescue Service, have launched a new Farm Watch scheme to promote preventative measures which will help protect farms from would-be thieves.

The new scheme covers rurtal areas around the villages of Almondsbury, Easter Compton, Hallen, Northwick, Over, Pilning, Redwick and Severn Beach

Under the scheme farms will get a free crime reduction survey and property-marking session. A representative from the neighbourhood policing team will visit the farm and recommend security improvements. All equipment in the farm will be marked and photographed.

According to PC Louise Thomas, beat manager for the Severnside neighbourhood:  "There are more than 100 farms on my beat. They can be vulnerable to thieves because of their remote locations and the value of some of their equipment and livestock, which can run into thousands of pounds."

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