BEATING criminals by pager is the aim of a new police drive. Officers are inviting the rural community around Hitchin to a meeting on Friday to discuss creating a network of pagers to catch criminals in the countryside. Police say the Rural Intelligence

BEATING criminals by pager is the aim of a new police drive.

Officers are inviting the rural community around Hitchin to a meeting on Friday to discuss creating a network of pagers to catch criminals in the countryside.

Police say the Rural Intelligence Gathering System, which can receive a signal where a mobile phone cannot, has been successfully used in other parts of the county.

PC Matt Jenkins, neighbourhood officer for Offa and Hoo, said: "The system allows selected sections of the community to send and receive information to each other which will increase their awareness of rural issues in real time.

"We have obtained �4000 from a variety of funding sources to purchase a large number of pagers. This system isn't going to replace what we currently have - rather it will work alongside the usual methods of contacting the police.

"What is unique about RIGS is that having called the police, farmers, gamekeepers and residents will be able to alert each other about what is happening quickly and easily."

To find out how to get involved speak to PC Jenkins at Kings Walden Hall between 11am and 4pm.