FARMERS, land owners, businesses and residents have all chipped in to buy a Land Rover to improve policing visibility in rural areas of the district.

The 4x4 will be run and maintained from donations made by those living in the Watling and Redbourn wards.

Rural Special Constable PC Richard Downs took delivery of the vehicle at the end of April and the Land Rover, which is marked as a police car and owned by Herts Police, has already covered 400 miles and provided 50 hours of policing.

Because the funding has been provided by those living in the wards, the vehicle remains in the area at all times and has already had an impact on the area.

Richard, who is also a gamekeeper at Holtsmere End Farm and Holtsmere End Manor Farm, said: “It’s been a real talking point. Many local people felt there was never a police presence in rural areas and on country lanes and have been surprised to see me out in the early mornings and late in to the evenings.

“Having the vehicle means I can cover a large geographical area and respond to any emerging issues as well as being a deterrent to criminals and fly-tippers. And because I know the local people, they have been providing me with information about suspicious activity, which they may not otherwise have reported.”

The presence of the Land Rover has already greatly reduced anti-social behaviour in the village and led to some arrests.

Richard, as well as conducting high-visibility patrols, will be targeting areas of fly-tipping, speeding motorists, damage to allotments and off-road quad bikes as well as any other emerging issues.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the ongoing cost of the Land Rover should send a cheque made payable to Hertfordshire Constabulary 4x4 to Inspector Holland, Rickmansworth Police Station, Northway, Rickmansworth, WD3 1ZR.