Police take to the seas to promote crime prevention

Isle of Wight people and holidaymakers travelling on Wightlink’s car ferry St Faith have been picking up useful tips on crime prevention from Hampshire police officers.

A team of uniformed officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) from Portsmouth, led by Sergeant Rob Sutton, made several crossings between the city and Fishbourne to talk to customers and staff.

They were raising awareness of two online initiatives –  www.hampshirealert.co.uk and www.immobilise.com

• Hampshire Alert is a community messaging system. Residents who sign up to the service get news alerts and information on issues including crime alerts, witness appeals and crime prevention.
• Immobilise is a database where residents can register serial numbers of belongings ranging from bicycles to computers. If the goods are reported stolen, second hand stores can identify them from the listings and return them to their owners.

Captain of St Faith Alex Fogarty says: “We can all help Hampshire and Isle of Wight police defeat the criminals by taking note of crime prevention advice and keeping track of our own possessions. I know our customers enjoyed meeting the police officers during our brief crossings to the Island.”

“We like getting out and about around Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to meet people and hear about their concerns and Wightlink crews always make us welcome,” explains Sergeant Rob.

Picture caption Police Community Support Officer Rob Blackwell and Sergeant Rob Sutton sign up St Faith Captain Alex Fogarty to the Hampshire Alert crime prevention initiative