RESIDENTS in Wickwar are being urged to report all crimes or face losing vital crime preventing services.

The shock announcement was made following complaints by parishioners that nothing was being done about crime in the area.

Cllr David Howard told the March meeting of Wickwar Parish Council that parishioners, including himself, were becoming increasingly frustrated by the lack of crime detection in the area.

He questioned the value of reporting crime in Wickwar.

He said: "There seems to be a screening process and little things aren't bothered with, so people feel there is no point reporting things."

However, PC Steve Bird, of Sodbury Police, said the public should persevere and continue to report crimes.

He said: "If people do not report crimes then statistically that area will appear to have little or no crime. As a result, less money and little resources will be allocated to that particular area."

Cllr Howard also said that a change in policing over the years had had an adverse affect on the village.

He added: "When there was a policeman in the village there was a different atmosphere and things were a lot better. He would have a quiet word with whoever was causing trouble and it would stop."

PC Bird replied: "Unfortunately we do not have the resources to provide that service and families have changed. A quiet word in the ear just doesn't work anymore."

Councillors and police are now appealing to the public not to give up on the police service and to report any crimes, no matter how small, to safeguard the security of the village.

* Do you feel more can be done in your town or village to prevent and detect crime and if so, how? Contact the Gazette on 01454 320 444 or email sodbury@dursleygazette.co.uk