Church CCTV used to arrest alleged thief

Richard Parr Closed circuit TV in a village church captured at thief at work, the man was arrested and released on police bail while further investigations are carried out.

Richard Parr

Closed circuit TV in a village church captured at thief at work, the man was arrested and released on police bail while further investigations are carried out.

This was one of the positive outcomes for the Wells Safer Neighbourhood Team which has been targeting local church as a priority to crack crime.

The team had been involved in producing crime prevention posters for display on parish council and other noticeboards in villages in the area.

Members of the SNT had contacted churchwardens and vicars in parishes asking them to put up the posters and remind people of the need to be vigilant and report suspicious activity.

The team met representatives of churches in the Wells area to offer crime prevention advice, particularly with regard to donation boxes, CCTV, security marking and general advice.

SNT members felt they had covered all the crime prevention angles and were impressed with the interaction with churches and the community and the positive result with the arrest. It felt the churches no longer needed to be treated as a priority.

The meeting also heard a total of 22 warning letters about illegal parking had been issued to motorists in Walsingham High Street and Knight Street which were to be vigorously patrolled in future.

Feedback from the public said how much better High Street was looking thanks to reduced illegal parking.

The SNT has been in discussion with the parish council, which is looking at finding a parking location for residents and is also looking into the provision of parking permits.

The Safety Camera Partnership had now issued 21 tickets and will continue to do so on Wells Road at Walsingham.

There had been some positive feedback from members of the public who are pleased to have seen SNT members out and about in the area.