A GROUP of crime-fighting grannies from Salisbury will be able to stay warm and dry during their Street Watch patrols over the coming months thanks to new hi-vis jackets. Members of the Bemerton Heath Street Watch scheme, which is supported by Wiltshire Police, have each got new waterproof, padded jackets to use on their patrols.

Radian Housing, which operates and maintains a large proportion of housing on the estate, donated funds towards the new jackets in a bid to maintain levels of volunteers.

And Wiltshire Council’s Salisbury Area Board has also donated money to cover insurance and other costs associated with running the voluntary scheme.

The group was set up in 2011 and since then crime figures have dropped in the area, which Wiltshire Police says is down to groups of volunteers patrolling the streets two or three times a week. The scheme has 14 members, including the local vicar Simon Woodley, who help tackle a range of issues from graffiti to missing children.

Retired nurse Sheila Bevis, chairman of the scheme, said: “We’re highly delighted that organisations recognise the work of our Street Watch scheme. The kind donations from Radian and the area board have dramatically improved the equipment we use and will make a huge difference over the winter months.” Mrs Bevis, 72, became involved in the scheme after she and her friend Eve Taysom were both victims of antisocial behaviour. She said: “When it first started we had no idea it would take off as it did. More and more people are telling us things that they don’t tell the police because they’ve got used to seeing us about.

Matthew Barton, housing manager for Radian, said: “At Radian one of our aims is to support groups that work in our communities and who, through their actions, are trying to improve the quality of lives for residents living there.” To find out more about Street Watch, contact your local Neighbourhood Policing Team on 101.