THESE civic minded volunteers are bringing a new twist to neigh-bourhood policing.

Eighteen volunteers will make up the first recruits to Sussex Police's new equine rangers team, set up thanks to a £3,200 grant from Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne.

Each volunteer will be expected to patrol for a couple of hours a week and will be supplied with information around suspicious persons, vehicles and activities.

They will have no additional powers of arrest but will report crimes back to officers.

Victims of rural crime and horse riders concerned about quiet country lanes becoming filled with faster-moving traffic are among those who have signed up.

Sharon Rolfe, who will be patrolling around Hickstead, Hurstpierpoint, Sayers Common and Burgess Hill, said: “I have invested in a head cam not only for recreational purposes but to also provided evidence of the dangers and near misses to reduce speed limits and anti -social behaviour in my local area.”

Becky Davies, who will patrol around Burgess Hill and Hurstpierpoint, said: “I am a barrister by profession and my main passion outside of the law is riding my horse so being an equine ranger would combine both of my main interests in life.”

Katy Bourne said the scheme would meet her election promise to treat rural crime as seriously as inner-city crime.

She said: "When I first took office I made a pledge that rural crime would be treated as seriously as the crime that takes place in our towns and cities, which is why I am delighted to provide funding to support this innovative volunteer initiative.

"The Sussex Rangers is a shining example of how members of the public can support their neighbourhood police teams to help keep Sussex safer.

"I know that residents who live in some of the more remote areas of the county can often feel 'cut-off' and this project will enhance Sussex Police's crime-fighting capabilities in those places that can be difficult to police by conventional means.

"As well as providing a visible presence and assisting with crime prevention the Rangers will also gather local information to increase the force's rural intelligence picture."