Press releases

Early warning alert system launched in Somerset

Hundreds of people have been recruited to swell a partnership campaign to combat crime in Somerset.

A new early warning alert system has been officially launched, which will effectively mean hundreds of extra eyes and ears helping to make communities feel safe and be safe.

The new Safer Home Alert is the latest initiative from the multi agency Safer Homes in Somerset scheme.

Based on the highly successful Neighbourhood Watch ringmaster service, the new system provides a dual service – an early warning alert system, as well as providing crime prevention and crime reduction advice.

Organisations throughout Somerset have joined the new system to receive police messages, requesting help tracking down witnesses, warning people to be on their guard, or being provided with crime prevention advice.

The message is sent to the nominated contact within an organisation and they then cascade the information to people in the organisation they represent.

The new scheme was officially launched at the office of one of the partners – Age Concern – in Taunton and attended by many of the partner organisations.

DCI Damian Kearney of Avon and Somerset police said: "This is an excellent way for us to target hundreds, even thousands of individuals across the whole of Somerset. We cannot only warn them about various issues but we can also use the system to issue crime prevention advice.

"By working with our partner organisations, we are able to quickly issue appeals and information direct to large numbers of people.

"Additionally, we can access people – such as nurses and local authority workers - who may have regular contact with vulnerable groups, enabling us to get basic safety advice to them," said DCI Kearney.

Organisations, who have signed up to the "Safer Home Alert" search are: South Somerset Homes, Somerset NHS, British Energy, Mendip District Council, Magna Housing Association, Age Concern, Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, Sedgemoor District Council, South West Ambulance Service, Taunton Deane Borough Council, South Somerset District Council, Somerset County Council, Exmoor National Park, West Somerset District Council, Agusta Westland and Victim Support.

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