Gardaí make changes to Coastal Watch
A community-based, crime-prevention initiative has been given a refresh.
An Garda Síochána were in West Cork yesterday to launch its new version of Coastal Watch which aims to raise awareness and encourage those who live, work, or use the coast, to report unusual activity to help prevent and detect crime.
For more than 30 years, Coastal Watch has helped keep Ireland’s 7,500km of coastline safe.
The new version of initiative will see some changes made to help support the community-led work which makes Coastal Watch work.
Firstly, a Coastal Watch Liaison Garda Inspector will be appointed in each division in the southern region - Cork city, Cork county, Clare/Tipperary, Limerick and Kerry, to educate the public about the initiative.
The Coastal Watch Liaison Garda Inspector will work with local gardaí to ensure information collected is channelled efficiently, and that intelligence reports are fully utilised.
Secondly, new Coastal Watch signage will be erected with a QR code linked to an online form which allows people to report suspicious or criminal activities on land or at sea.
Speaking in Castletownbere on Wednesday, Assistant Commissioner for the Southern Region, Eileen Foster said: “Local knowledge is a term frequently used in policing, and it has particular relevance in this initiative. Coastal Watch is a crime-prevention initiative, and a community-based partnership where your local knowledge will indicate if something appears suspicious, or out of place, or odd.
“I would say to you all, trust your instincts and reach out to An Garda Síochána. You could be providing An Garda Síochána with vital information to assist us in our investigations.”
The types of activities An Garda Síochána is encouraging members of the public to report include:
• Unknown boats landing in remote locations • Ribs/boats with names removed or concealed • Suspected illegal dumping • Suspected illegal fishing • Unexpected tyre tracks on laneways • Vehicles parked in unusual places • Intentionally destroyed vehicles.