TWO and four-legged recruits have signed up for a pioneering new crime fighting scheme which is being piloted in West Somerset.

The horse-riders and their steeds have joined Rural Community Watch, a mounted version of the existing Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

But rather than being led by householders, Rural Watch is spearheaded by horse riders who will "proactively patrol" their communities on horseback and provide police with details of vandalism, anti-social behaviour or signs of suspicious activities.

The scheme is being run under the direction and supervision of the local police team and will see riders following pre-agreed patrol routes.

Volunteers are also being expected to provide safety and crime reduction advice within their communities.

PC Nick Wood of Dulverton police station, has been key in setting up the scheme and said he was delighted it would piloted in West Somerset.

"Being the force's largest rural area, with some remote communities, I am hoping the scheme will be of benefit to both the police and the public.

"We have 30 volunteers taking part in the pilot across Exmoor and if it is successful, we will be rolling the scheme out further afield," Mr Wood said.

He said all the volunteers were being given special training to help them effectively report any crimes and tips on being "good witnesses" by providing police with the right information and intelligence.

Mr Wood added: "The volunteers will undertake 'an eyes and ears' function rather than a policing role.

"They will not be engaging in any confrontational situations and don't have any policing powers but will provide a vital link between local communities and police."

Volunteers wanting to sign up must be over 18, pass a police security check and be fit and able to undertake horseback patrols.

They must also be keen and competent horse-riders, who have their own animal or regular access to a horse they know well.

Each volunteer is provided with a high-visibility jacket, horse exercise sheet and given regular contact with their neighbourhood policing team.

Chief Superintendent Daimon Tilley, district commander for Somerset West, said: "Neighbourhood Watch has been successfully running for a considerable period of time with proven results, for instance you are four times less likely to be a victim of burglary if you are in a scheme.

"The reassurance Neighbourhood Watch provides in promoting a local community spirit with neighbours watching out for each other and actively engaging with their police teams is exactly what we are trying to achieve with this scheme.

"While we use a variety of methods to prevent and detect crime, good old-fashioned community intelligence still remains one of the most effective weapons we have in targeting criminals, anti-social behaviour and other issues that impact negatively on our neighbourhoods.

"We hope this scheme will encourage rural communities to come together and support us and themselves in preventing and detecting crime."

More information about the new scheme is available from Mr Wood on the police non-emergency 101 number.