Forest Watch scheme to be expanded
Forestry Commission Wales is stepping up its war on criminals who commit illegal acts in the woods of South Wales following the success of its Forest Watch initiative.
Since the scheme was launched in the Neath and Port Talbot area in 2007, it has provided information that has led to arrests, reduced fly tipping, vehicle abandonment and provided valuable intelligence for police operations in the South Wales forest, Europe's largest urban forest. Now, FC Wales is looking to expand the scheme to include woodlands to the north of Cardiff, Cwmcarn, Abertillery, Tredegar and Caerphilly. The scheme operates by providing people with a dedicated phone number and e-mail address for the public to report information in confidence. It is co-ordinated by a police officer, PC Andrew Scourfield, who is the first Forest Crime Officer appointed by FC Wales and is based in the Commission's office at Resolven, Neath. The Neath and Port Talbot scheme has quickly proved its worth, with more than 40 people becoming the Commission's "eyes and ears" and providing important information in the fight against crime in our woods. This information has led to the arrests of fly tippers, disqualified drivers in off-road vehicles, a reduction in off-road vehicle annoyance and fly tipping. It has also identified hot spot areas for anti-social behaviour in Forestry Commission Wales car parks that has enabled local police units to carry out effective patrols. Forest Watch gives members and local communities the opportunity to play a key role in reducing crime in our forests and countryside in this successful partnership initiative with South Wales Police and the local authority. Members will be issued with a Forest Watch pack and will have the opportunity to attend meetings. Anyone interested in becoming involved should contact PC Andrew Scourfield on 0845 604 0845 or the Forest Watch email address, forestwatch@forestry.gsi.gov.uk. If you're fed up with criminal and anti-social activity in your forests and countryside, then why not play a key role in reducing it and join Forest Watch today?
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