The long arm of the law in Fife has just been given an even bigger reach after local police joined the world’s largest treasure hunt in the fight against crime.
Cowdenbeath’s community policing team have embraced technology and have taken to using ‘geocaching’ to spread crime prevention and safety messages far and wide.
Geocaching involves downloading a free app to a smartphone or tablet device and using its GPS to find ‘caches’, typically a small waterproof container containing a logbook where people can log their exploits and other knick knacks which can be traded.
Four caches have been placed in and around Lochore Meadows Country Park by police officers, and these contain leaflets with Police Scotland ‘Your View Counts’ public survey information, community safety advice, details of members of the local policing team and other goodies.
So far, the caches have been found more than 30 times since they were placed on July 30 and Police Scotland has been receiving excellent feedback.
Indeed, the local force’s own ‘travel bug’, named PC Meedies, was found and taken almost 300 miles to Cavan in the Republic of Ireland.
The travel bugs have codes attached to them which can be entered at geocaching.com, with members of the public asked to help the bugs to travel from cache to cache.
Sergeant Caine McIntyre, of Cowdenbeath Police, explained: “We thought this would be a fun way to promote safety messages in the local community and we’ve received great feedback so far.
“One of our caches included our very own PC Meedies and, although he’ll be missed, we hope he enjoys his journey!”
Figures suggest that there are more than two million caches around the world, with almost 700 within a 10-mile radius of Cowdenbeath.
One person who has provided feedback on the Police Scotland initiative said: “My first ever ‘first find’! It just so happens that I’ve been planning on coming here today to do some geocaching and a bit of exercise all week!
“I love the fact that our police force has got involved, the pictures [of the community officers] are a great idea too!”
And another said: “Geodug gets the credit for this one could he sniffed it out! Great example of community involvement – good on you guys. Took a booklet, left a key ring. Ta.”
Anyone who wants to get involved can download Geocaching via the App Store or at geocaching.com.
