More than 500 volunteer to become crime-spotting dog-walkers
CRIME-SPOTTING dog walkers are helping police officers sniff out crimes and make arrests in Gloucester.
Several arrests have been made after more than 500 dog walkers, who are members of the Paws on Patrol scheme, were encouraged to call the police when they witness crimes in progress.
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Josie and Pat Dabbs
The vigilant dog walkers are also being enlisted to report anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping and abandoned cars.
Community safety officer Pat Dabbs, from Gloucester City Council, said: "Paws on Patrol has really caught the imagination of a lot of people who get a real sense of community spirit from being involved.
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"We set ourselves a target of finding 500 members by March but we've already achieved 503 and the project only started in May. Everyone wants to get on board."
In June, a 25-year-old man was arrested when a dog walker foiled an attempted break-in at a jewellers in Northgate Street and in July, two people were arrested after a serious assault in the Moreland area. The scheme has been lauded as a good way of getting ordinary people and their dogs to be the eyes, ears and noses of the city.
Chief Inspector Richard Burge said: "Paws on Patrol has proved very successful. We have made arrests as a result of patrollers' vigilance and issues of anti-social behaviour have been reported to the council and to the local policing teams for investigation."
The scheme works in two ways – dog walkers call in with issues they find while community safety officials contact them requesting their help with specific appeals, such as the current crackdown on the illegal use of mini-motos.
Organisers have launched a new incentive in the hope of attracting more dog walkers to the scheme.
Brockworth Puppy and Dog Training School is offering new recruits in September the opportunity to win a six-week puppy training course at the school.
For more details, call Safer Gloucester on 01452 396984, visit www.safergloucester.co.uk or visit their stall at the GL4 Together fun day at Glevum Open Space, Abbeydale, on Sunday from 1pm.
Comments
by honslknjklyt
Thursday, September 06 2012, 12:43AM
“If anything this makes cliques of people. We should all be reporting crime if we suspect anything. A lot of old people get up earlier than a lot of others and may see things others don't so lets have a "grey brigade", joggers who are jogging - lets call a meeting for them and have an initiative.
This is anything but bringing communities together. It is sectioning a certain part of that community as though they have something no one else does.
We can all play our part. There is an initiative called crimestoppers. Rather than keep re-inventing the wheel, why not keep what we have and occasionally re-launch or re-emphasise what is there.
This is job creation and a waste of time. I have frequently reported crime, but I don't get a pullover!!!”
by hopealliswell
Thursday, September 06 2012, 12:24AM
“I feel this is a great and positive move that can potentially involve any community minded person choosing to make a positive difference to Gloucester as a whole. I believe a lot of small positive actions make a huge difference a in greater scheme of things. I say thank you for your kind service and wish everyone involved continued success in our fight against crime.”
by Walker100
Thursday, September 06 2012, 12:08AM
“Similar schemes have been launched in the past such as enlisting post persons, milk persons and paper delivery persons.
The fact is ANY decent law abiding person reports crime when they see it as honslknjklyt suggested.”
by SELINA30
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 4:03PM
“Has the copper on the Cross been replaced by a dog walker?”
by honslknjklyt
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 3:53PM
“If someone sees suspicious activity, being a dog walker or not, then if they are decent they should report it anyway.
I really do not get this scheme, yes there was a dog walker who saw the jewellers thing and we have all heard this ad nauseum, however, if he or she was walking to go to work, walking to get his tea, walking his dog or walking to take his fish for a pint - what does it matter?
I find this whole scheme nothing more than a feel good factor for dog walkers, time consuming, waste of money, waste of effort and gives someone that self important status that is just not needed.”
by IsitJimKerr
Wednesday, September 05 2012, 8:06AM
“There's usually one or more 'abandoned' cars in the lay-by opposite the opticians in Abbeymead Avenue. Confusing though, as often it says 'for sale' in the window, though why any sane individual would contemplate buying a wreck from the side of the road is beyond me!”