South Woodham and district Neighbourhood Watches have launched their latest crackdown on crime.

Their campaign has a prickly solution to deterring would-be thieves and they are urging residents and garden nurseries to help them in their fight.

So far eight nurseries have agreed to join in the scheme which involves reviewing planting schemes and garden layouts.

"The one thing which unwelcome visitors wish to avoid is being seen and forcing them to use proper pathways and entrances which can be observed from the street may prevent them from going about any unscrupulous activity," said scheme co-ordinator, Mike Philpott.

Campaigners believe strategically planting dense, prickly plants around the garden can act as a deterrent. They include plants such as varieties of pyracantha and berberis.

Now South Woodham and district Neighbour-hood Watches with the nurseries in the area have labelled suitable plants with the yellow circular Neighbourhood Watch sticker.

Crime prevention officer, Peter Furlong praised the initiative and said: "If any nurseries want to come on board we would love to hear from them. I would like to see it throughout the rural sections."

The nurseries currently taking part are Plantome Nurseries and Meadow-croft at Battlesbridge, Crouch-vale at South Woodham, Hyde Hall Gardens and BHN Plants at Rettendon, Claremont Nurseries, Woodham Mortimer, Horseshoe at Danbury and Westview at Bicknacre.

For more information contact Mike Rand c/o South Woodham police 01245 320333 or crime prevention officer, Peter Furlong at Maldon police 01621 852255.

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