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Launch: PC Chris Banks launches Church Watch in Goosnargh with church official Joe Birkby outside the villages St Marys Church
Top security for churches in the Longridge area is at the forefront of a scheme launched by police this week.
St Mary’s Church, in Goosnargh, was the first to sign up to Church Watch, a spin-off from Neighbourhood Watch and Farm Watch.
It was launched by Central Division Rural North’s PC Chris Banks as an extension of the already successful Preston initiative.
Thirteen churches in the city’s area have signed up for the safety scheme and the aim now is to widen its scope to include churches outside Central Division’s remit.
“What we are trying to do is increase the safety for churches because of the increase there have been in thefts of lead and other incidents,” PC Banks explained.
“Because of the success in Preston and its rural areas, we want to reach out to churches in other rural areas to sign up to Church Watch.
“If they have not got a local scheme going, they would be made very welcome to join this one. They would be given a Church Watch sign and a welcome pack to explain the scheme.”
Chairman of Churches Together in Longridge, Canon Harry Doyle of Alston Lane Church, felt it was a good initiative.
He said: “I appreciate what the police are doing and we may well join it after discussion in the parish.”
Vicar of Longridge, the Rev David Anderson, whose parish has had to cope with several vandalism incidents at St Paul’s Church, felt it was a very positive idea.
“I think it will be something we will be exploring with all the churches in the local area.
“We already do have a very good relationship with our local police who are very vigilant in patrolling our churches at night.”
Church Watch can be joined, or enquiries made, by phoning 01772 863390 or e-mailing christopher.banks@lancashire.pnn.police.uk.
Police are also urging church wardens to be extra vigilant after a series of burglaries in the east of Lancashire.
On Wednesday night last week, thieves targeted St Mark’s Vicarage ,on Buncer Lane, and St Alban’s Vicarage, Larkhill, stealing a £250 iPad, a Sony blue ray player, a mountain bike and three Wii controllers. Police are investigating the thefts and are urging church wardens to be extra vigilant and report anything suspicious to the police.
PC Lisa Scorah said: “We are making enquiries to find out who was responsible for these thefts and I appeal to anyone with information to contact us.
“Church wardens should make sure premises are locked and secure and I urge local residents to keep an eye out for anything suspicious.”
Anyone with information can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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Weather for Longridge
Saturday 25 May 2013
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 7 C to 13 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 14 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: West
