A GROUP set up to combat the van crime epidemic in North Monmouthshire is calling for new members to get involved as the spate of criminal activity show no signs of diminishing.

Abergavenny and District Van Watch now have 89 members and a thriving Facebook Page where members can coordinate their efforts to thwart the persistent thieves.

Vanwatch organiser, Chris Copner said, ‘We have had a few people join recently after falling victim to van crime, we would actively like to encourage van owners to join the group before it happens so we can pool the information.

‘I am currently in the process of arranging a small team of members to become mobile as soon as we have information fed into the page so we can monitor the hot spots we have already identified and work with Abergavenny officers to share intelligence.

‘Recently we had reports of a van break in at Underhill Crescent and within 15 minutes of the information being fed in we had a car parked up in a key location and also a mobile member driving around the area.

Chris also pointed out the danger of leaving keys in unattended vehicles after a recent incident in which a van was stolen and the owner arrived home to discover the family car had also been taken.

He said, ‘The most important point is to encourage members of the public to be vigilant and note down any suspicious activities. If it doesn’t feel right, call 101 and Abergavenny officers can make the necessary checks. People are targeting not only vans but commercial buildings out of hours for the lead content of the roofs.

‘We have eighty-nine current members, made up of mainly van owners but we also make use of local taxi drivers as they are always about at unusual hours. Also some Gwent Police officers are now involved.’

Abergavenny and District Van Watch can be contacted via their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/groups/175683893038134/?ref=br_rs.