RESIDENTS in Newent are being urged to report all crimes, however minor, in order to get their town's crime figures up!

There have been numerous burglaries and incidents of vandalism and anti-social behaviour in recent months – many of which have not been reported, and therefore not been logged by the police.

Fed up councillors now want the public to start reporting these incidents – so that they can get more police patrols in their town.

Coun Len Lawton said: "If we see a crime, it should be reported. Crime that isn't reported does not get logged, and is not reflected in police figures.

"The belief is, that reporting crime would increase policing in the area with more patrols.

"There would also be more intelligence as to when crimes are committed and this could aid police in tackling crime."

As it stands, normal everyday policing in the Forest of Dean is operated from Coleford but Newent does have a hub in the library to deal with residents' concerns.

For more on this story, read The Forester.