The police have launched a special text messaging crime prevention scheme has been launched to keep holiday makers safe.
The Holiday Watch scheme allows those staying at the South Lakes Leisure Village, Carnforth, to receive up-to-date information on suspicious and criminal activity in the area, along with tips to protect their property, via their mobiles.
It echoes similar schemes, such as Canal Watch and Farm Watch, which have already been used in the north of the county to prevent crime and provide information to transient or more difficult to reach members of the community.
The launch of Holiday Watch at the site was attended by members of the neighbourhood policing team, crime prevention officers and an Emergency Services Community Support Officer (ESCSO). Members of 2246 Carnforth Air Training Corps also assisted with the event and postcoded a number of bicycles.
Residents were able to seek advice on a variety of safety and security measures and all of the lodges on the site have been provided with property marking kits by the Leisure Village management team to enable residents to security mark their valuables.
The scheme will be rolled out to other local holiday sites and caravan parks over the coming months.
“People want to go on holiday to relax and have a good time,” says PC Linda Head, community beat manager for the area. “Unfortunately, becoming a victim of crime can spoil all of that. The leisure village has a lot of long-term and repeat visitors to the site and we want to be able to give them the information they need to take steps to prevent this from happening to them.
“The visitors that we have spoken to have been keen to get on board and the management team have also been very supportive – we hope that other sites will also get involved in the future.”
• Anybody wishing to register should contact the neighbourhood police team on CarnforthnptATlancashire.police.pnn.uk.
• Further information about the Holiday Watch scheme can be also be obtained from PC Head at Carnforth police station on 01524 63333