Forest Watch (a forest version of Neighbourhood Watch) is a scheme set up in South Wales to encourage members of the public to report incidents of crime and suspicious activity on FC land. It already has a membership of 35, made up of people who enjoy the forest "and who are fed up of the crime they see".
To help combat the various criminal activities undertaken within FC Wales's woodlands Coed y Cymoedd Forest District became the first in the Commission to appoint a Forest Crime Officer.
On January 1st, 2007, PC 3753 Andrew Scourfield took up the post on a three-year secondment from South Wales Police. This followed on from a six-month trial last year examining the extent of crime in the South Wales forest and especially its impact on local communities.
Since starting his new job Andrew has identified 15 different types of offences in the forest and admitted crime was more prevalent than he first thought.
His approach is to gather as much information and intelligence as he can. "I'm looking for any emerging patterns so that we can target areas where we have problems", said Andrew.
A key factor in ensuring the success of this initiative will be developing close working partnerships with local people and other agencies and organisations, including the Environment Agency and local authorities, involved in tracking down and prosecuting offenders.
The results so far are encouraging - six operations have resulted in seven arrests. But for Andrew, this is just the start. " I want to see a noticeable decline in forest crime. I want the South Wales forest to become a much safer environment for people and I want the criminals to know the forests are no longer a safe haven for them".
| Andrew's list of top ten criminal or anti-social behaviour in FC Wales woodlands. 1. Off-road trespass (motorcycles and 4x4s) 2. Criminal damage (to gates, fences, etc.) 3. Fly-tipping 4. Auto crime (abandoned vehicles) 5. Drug dealers (hiding drug stashes) 6. Organised deer poaching 7. Theft from contractor vehicles 8. Car park theft 9. Sexual activity sites 10. Arson (especially late spring - early summer) |
Forest Watch is already proving to be a successful initiative and the intention now is to develop a network of Forest Watch groups throughout South Wales.
If you would like to become a member of Forest Watch please complete the following form and email it to forestwatch@forestry.gsi.gov.uk or post it to the address below.
Forest Watch Application Form (MSWord, 386kb, 1 page)
Forest Watch Information Note (pdf, 53kb, 2 pages)
If you want to know more about Forest Watch or have any information or require advice or assistance regarding forest crime please don’t hesitate in contacting PC Andrew Scourfield at the address below:
Forest Crime Officer
Forestry Commission
Coed Y Cymoedd
Resolven
Neath
SA11 4DR
Tel: 01633 580234
Mobile: 07867 940246
Email: forestwatch@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
