Police launch first 24/7 hillside 'overwatch' station in Malvern

Police officers from Malvern have announced the opening of the UK’s first hilltop policing post from 1st April.

The post will provide a 24/7 'overwatch' for Malvern residents in a move that local officers believe will assist crime detection and make tourists and locals alike feel even safer as they traverse the Hills.

PC Wise, the officer behind the concept said "After running our recent crime reduction road-show 'Operation Buzzard', it got me thinking about the importance of having a birds eye view in the fight against crime. We didn't have the budget for a drone but from this viewpoint at the top of the Beacon we can see any crime going on in the town and let our colleagues on the ground know what is happening immediately.”

Officers will be using a specially designed police van fitted with living quarters for permanently stationed officers whilst high powered night vision binoculars will allow close scrutiny of Malvern's offenders, picking up all types of offending from burglary to litter dropping and dog fouling.

PC Dave Wise & PC Paul Lambon begin their first hilltop shift.

PCSO Freeman, of Pickersleigh SNT said "It gives us an advantage over criminals operating in Malvern who can't see us but we can see them. It's the ultimate in preventative police work.” PCSO Freeman will be the first officer to be permanently stationed at the Beacon and is hopeful walkers will be generous enough to share the occasional flask of coffee.

Malvern Cops are hopeful this can be adopted in other highpoints around Malvern. PC Wise said "I can see these 'overwatch' stations catching on, just imagine how effective a police post would be at the top of Malvern Priory or at The Pepperpot in Upton.”

PCSO Steve Freeman will be working & sleeping here

for the next 6 months

High powered binoculars provide a birds eye view for police