Sign up to crime-busting OWL service

Carmarthenshire residents are being urged to sign up to the free Online Watch Link (OWL) so that the police can keep them up-to-date with what is going on in their area.
The system sends messages by telephone, fax, email or mobile phone.
Crime alerts can be sent out within half an hour of a crime occurring and it can be used to send out crime prevention advice.
The aim is to inform communities so that they can share information on incidents from rogue traders to anti-social behaviour.
It works particularly well for Neighbourhood Watch groups and can help prevent further crimes being committed as well as reassuring residents.
The scheme is being piloted by Dyfed-Powys Police, with funding from the Carmarthenshire Community Safety Partnership.
Crime reduction co-ordinator Brian Jones said: “OWL is an automated system that sends emails with useful information on crimes in the area, news about your local Neighbourhood Policing Team and crime prevention advice. It can also send short SMS text messages direct to your mobile phone.
“It has proved to be extremely effective in other areas helping to safeguard local communities and reduce the vulnerability of residents to becoming victims of crime.”
There is no cost to sign up to OWL and all personal information is stored in a secure database.
Leighton Davies from Llannon Neighbourhood Watch has signed up to the scheme; he said: “OWL is a good initiative that can keep Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators up-to-date on developments in their area. Email is an excellent method of providing detailed information whereas telephone or text messages are more suitable methods of communication for issues that require prompt attention. Overall it is a very good scheme which will certainly prove beneficial over a period of time.”
Executive Board Member for Community Safety Cllr Pam Palmer added: “Communication is vital in informing and changing people’s attitudes and behavior towards crime and community problems. This is an excellent way of keeping people informed with what’s going on in their police service.”
For further information on OWL contact Brian Jones by calling 101.