New, improved Rutland Neighbourhood Watch app

Rutland Neighbourhood Watch is launching a new drive to increase downloads of its acclaimed free smartphone app.

More than 1600 residents in the county are already using the app, but the Rutland Neighbourhood Watch is urging more people to benefit from the app's features.

The app has been revamped to be more user-friendly and now features instant links with a range of police and other emergency services and domestic abuse agencies, as well as the means of passing and receiving crime-related information in the county.

Other handy features include 'Fix My Street', community contacts, bus and train timetables and local news.

The app's 'Push' feature draws instant attention to the latest crime reports and this has already proved invaluable by bringing the recent bout of lead thefts from the roof of Rutland's churches to the public's attention.

The app will be promoted through demonstrations and leaflets at village fetes throughout the summer and through social media, village websites and magazines.

The app even has a direct link with Rutland Neighbourhood Watch's new website, www.rutlandnhw.org.uk, where crime-related news and updates can be regularly found.