Atherstone-based police officers have thrown a supportive arm around another community wanting to "make a real difference" in protecting itself from the dangers of rural crime.

The town's Safer Neighbourhoods Team has helped pave the way for Shuttington to join the 'Supported Villages Scheme'.

The village is the 16th in the county to set up with the intention of "improving security and making life much tougher for the criminals" under the funding umbrella of Warwickshire police and crime commissioner Philip Seccombe.

Shuttington and Alvecote Parish Council has been working with Rural Crime Officer for Warwickshire North Carol Cotterill, PCSO Sarah Fretter and other members of the Atherstone policing team.

Residents also assisted the Atherstone North Team with setting up the new Community Speed Watch group for Shuttington, Alvecote, Mancetter and Hartshill.

The village hall was the setting for the supported scheme launch with Inspector Allison Wiggin presenting residents with a crime prevention box so they can all have access to property markers and information on security, village gateway signs and a 'holiday box' with equipment to borrow if they are away from their homes for any length of time.

Parish council vice chairman Nigel O'Mara said: "Being in a rural location, the residents of our area are specifically vulnerable to certain types of crime and dangerous motoring behaviour.

"So we are delighted to have this opportunity to take positive steps to address these issues and further safeguard our local community together with the fabulous support of our local policing team."

He added: "I would encourage all villages within North Warwickshire to embrace the proactivity of the Office of the PCC and adopt similar schemes to help reduce the impact of crime and speeding in and around their own communities."

Inspector Wiggin said: "It is really good to see communities coming together and working with the police to address and take measures to deter crime in their village.

"Shuttington is an example of how residents who had concerns with regard to speeding and other issues can work with local officers and make a real difference."

PCC Seccombe said the scheme had proved a "great success" over the past few years, adding: "By taking some simple steps, everyone can improved their security and make life much tougher for the criminals.

"I hope its success encourages even more of our rural villages to get involved."

Communities interested in the scheme can contact RCO Cotterill at [email protected].

The Atherstone officer has already introduced the Warwickshire Rural Watch website www.warwickshireruralwatch.co.uk which provides information to help and support communities as well as the award-winning Warwickshire Horse Watch site www.warwickshire-horsewatch.co.uk – a proactive scheme address equine crime.