Faith Watch launches in West Essex

A new scheme has been launched in West Essex to combat church crime.

Following the success of farm watch which sees farmers share information about rural crime via text and email, Faith Watch will see church members share information about church crime.

The scheme was launched by PCSOs Karen Gibbs and Deborah Powis last month and currently has 26 church members.

PCSO Karen Gibbs said: "Over the past year, in and around the Brentwood area, approximately £16,000 worth of lead and metals have been stolen from churches.

"We believe it is due to the current financial climate - the metals that are being stolen have high values and are very attractive to criminals. We are urging all members of churches to make sure their security is at the highest level as this deters the criminals.

Our aim with Faith Watch is simply to have a link between all church communities so they can communicate via email to prevent church crime.

"By working together we will be able to share relevant information and gather intelligence to hopefully bring those responsible for these crimes to justice. We also hope that by launching Faith Watch, this will deter criminal activity and help bring crime down in the Brentwood area."

Rev Jem Treherm from Doddinghurst Road Community Church in Brentwood said: "I think faith watch is absolutely brilliant. It was launched recently and it is a good way of linking all the churches and sharing information.”

Karen added: "We currently have 26 church members working closely with us and we welcome any other church member or even people who live or work near a church to come on board and join the scheme.”

Anyone wishing to join the Faith Watch scheme can do so by contacting PCSO Karen Gibbs at Brentwood police station on 0300 333 4444 or via email at mailto:Karen.gibbs@essex.pnn.police.uk