Swansea Paws on Patrol urges dog walkers to fight crime

Dog owners in Swansea are being invited to join a new crime prevention scheme while on their daily walks.Paws on Patrol say dog owners are often out-and-about and are well-placed to see anything out of the ordinary.The Safer Swansea Partnership believes involving thousands of dog walkers in the city and county of Swansea can improve neighbourhood safety. Officers will be at Singleton Park between 14:00-17:00 BST on Sunday.The initiative has been developed by Swansea crime prevention officer Paul Evans, and will link with existing community initiatives such as Neighbourhood Watch and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs)."We are currently enjoying the lowest crime figures in 25 years, but to make the city and county even safer we rely on help from the public," Mr Evans said."Dog walkers spend a lot of time out and about in their communities and would be highly likely to recognise when something is out of the ordinary is happening."He pointed out however that at no time will dog walkers be expected to intervene in any incidents."Their role will be to simply report and gather evidence," he added.Everyone who signs up will receive a membership pack containing a free dog collar, poop bags, membership card and Safer Swansea and crime prevention information.