Newtownbutler, Main Street
RESIDENTS of a rural area to the west of Newtownbutler, taking in Crom Road and Kidds Road, have formed a fledgling Neighbourhood Watch committee to deter rural crime.
Last week, between 50-60 residents attended an inaugural meeting that was inspired by the events of 24th/25th October when a thief on a pushbike targeted the contents of cars at several premises in the course of a six-hour early morning visit.
Footage of the thief, who got away with cash, an ipad and a purse with bank cards, was captured on cctv and handed to the PSNI.
The resident who led the ‘neighbourhood watch’ campaign was herself targeted. She was able to see later the unwanted visitor prowling around her premises at 3 o’clock in the morning.
“We had people staying with us and, when they heard the dog barking, one of them got up and put on the light and I would say that spoiled him. But, he still got my purse, with cash card in it, etc.
“My neighbours on either side of me, their cars were tampered with. Our dog was locked in a shed, but he won’t be locked up any more.”
That trauma gave her the idea for a meeting to establish a neighbourhood watch.
“It will take about six months to get it up and running. We will text each other if any of us hear or see anything suspicious, and we will communicate to a number and put it out to everybody.”
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