You have heard of Neighbourhood Watch, Shop Watch and Pub Watch, even Farm and Church Watch – the latest scheme has been launched in southern Lancashire: CanalWatch, to help tackle crime and anti-social behaviour on the Leeds-Liverpool Canal. Lancashire Police seek to share information with boat owners, residents and businesses based on or around the local canal.
Text messages are sent to alert those in the scheme of any suspicious behaviour or recent crimes, so that they can take the necessary precautions to keep their land and property safe.
To get involved with CanalWatch you need to first join as a member with around 15 local canal users – including those from Chorley Burscough, Rufford and Wheelton – already signed up.
If you live outside county boundaries, but use our canals on a regular basis, you can still sign up to the scheme with a Lancashire mooring location. The Watch Liaison Officer for Chorley, South Ribble and West Lancashire is Lynn Wareing.
She said: “We have decided to setup CanalWatch for residents in southern Lancashire after a successful pilot along the Lancaster Canal. With police and the community working together we can keep our canals safe, secure and for all to enjoy including future generations.
“Remember it is not only canal users who can become members, but also residents and businesses that are based near or use the Leeds-Liverpool canal. You can also sign-up if you are from outside Lancashire but use our waterways often.”
The Lancashire force’s wildlife officer, Mark Thomas said: “These schemes are not only invaluable when it comes to protecting your property but also in helping us gain valuable information about wildlife crime. Lots of species live in and alongside our canals and residents can help us to look after them by sharing information through schemes like CanalWatch.”
