PROJECT WATCHMAN
WATCHMAN is OSRM’s alarm monitoring & response package that we offer to both home and business owners. This project is named after Watchman V the Staffordshire Regiments mascot.
“Just like Watchman we’ll go the extra mile!”
OSRM’s Project WATCHMAN monitored alarm & response protecting local homes & businesses.
We live in a world where crime rates are increasing and Police numbers are reducing, also Police respond times are increasing and in many occasions victims are having to wait days for Police to arrive.
In March 2021 it was reported that 267,931 burglaries had been reported in England & Wales.
For a monthly fee OSRM will monitor your alarm system and respond to alarm activations giving you the sense of security that professional, well disciplined security officers will be in attendance.
When a burglar enters a victim's home, they typically cause £1,413 worth of damage, steal £2,856 of goods!
Here is some facts about burglaries:
Most burglaries happen in night time - Most burglaries take place between 22.00 and 06.00. There is an increase of home burglaries taking place in the day because most people are out at work, reducing the chance of intruders being noticed.
Most burglars aren't after your household possessions - The majority of intruders will actually be looking to steal car keys and even your personal identity data.
47% of burglaries are 'spur of the moment' - Shockingly a recent report found that convicted burglars said almost half of all their crimes were committed without being planned before hand.
Someone is home in around 64% of burglaries - It's one of the most traumatic things to think about but someone is typically home in nearly 6.4 out of every 10 burglaries.
Only 14 arrests are made for every 100 burglaries - According to a report published by the BBC the police force in England only make 14 arrests for every 100 burglaries. The shocking statistics highlight how difficult it is to catch and convict intruders, as many burglars go unnoticed they can often get away with the crime.
Let OSRM protect your home and business and see the benefits of working with a local company. If you would like to be part of the OSRM family then complete the field below or alternately call us on 01922 254070.
Who is Watchman?
Watchman is the regimental mascot of the Staffordshire Regiment and this tradition goes back to the 19th Century.
In 1882 The South Staffordshire Regiment was ordered to march with Lord Wolseley to the relief of General Gordon who was besieged in Khartoum. They entrained at Cairo with their Staffordshire Bull Terrier “Boxer”. Unfortunately Boxer leapt from the moving train and was seen lying unconscious or dead at the side of the track.
A few days later when the Regiment encamped at Assiut awaiting orders for the final phase of their march, a very thin and bedraggled dog staggered into their camp and collapsed. Boxer had walked for over 200 miles along the scorching desert railway track to rejoin his regiment, a true soldier.
From then on the tradition of having a Bull Terrier as a mascot continued with the battalions until after the Second World War.
Watchman V
Watchman V took over duties on 5 October 2009. He carried out his duties as part of the 3rd Battalion (STAFFORDS) of the Mercian Regiment, until it was withdrawn in 2013. He then took out duties as part of the Staffordshire Regimental Association. Watchman V's handler is Greg Hedges. Due to the widespread use of social media, he has become the biggest profile Watchman to date, amassing nearly 20,000 followers on Facebook.
Sgt Watchman V at the Field of Remembrance, Westminster Abbey, Thursday 10 November 2016.
He attends regimental events, military parades, remembrance ceremonies and national events such as the Garden of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey. Watchman V has been presented to HRH Prince Harry at the Garden of Remembrance in Westminster Abbey. He has also been introduced several times to HRH Prince Philip at the Garden of Remembrance in Westminster Abbey. He proved to be a very popular mascot and was awarded Freedom of numerous villages and several towns in Staffordshire, most notably Tamworth Borough in 2014 and Newcastle under Lyme Borough in 2016. He also holds the Freedom of Uttoxeter, Heath Hayes and Wilmblebury, and Hednesford. As part of the Regimental Association he also holds freedom of many other places such as Cannock, and Hanley, in Stoke on Trent.
The granting of Freedom to Watchman and his handler by several major towns in Staffordshire was part of a campaign by Staffordshire politicians, led by Cllr Robert Pritchard of Tamworth Borough Council, to ensure the Watchman tradition continues, now the 3rd Battalion of the Mercian Regiment (STAFFORDS) had been withdrawn and the Staffordshire Regiment has been disbanded. Such was the pride and affection for Watchman, the Staffordshire civic community wanted to ensure he could continue to parade with the Mercian Regiment in their own towns, as he is not their official mascot. Cllr Robert Pritchard was made an honorary member of the Staffordshire Regiment for his work on this, and other welfare projects, he has done for the regiment, and is entitled to wear the regiments tie, the highest honour a regimental association can bestow on a civilian.
In 2016 Watchman was entered into the "Westminster Dog of the Year" competition by Staffordshire MPs Amanda Milling, Christopher Pincher, Jeremy Lefory, Andrew Griffiths, Gavin Williamson, Michael Fabricant. It was the first time a military mascot has been entered into the competition. The MPs organised a public campaign to help Watchman V win the public vote element of the competition. The final was held in Victoria Tower Gardens on Thursday 8 September. Sgt Watchman V won the public vote in the competition and was crowned the 2016 competitions "paw-blic" vote winner.
In October 2016 Watchman V's handler, Greg Hedges, was shortlisted for the Express & Star "Big Thank You" awards in the Ambassador of the year category. The winner, chosen by a public vote, was announced in February 2017. Watchman won his category.
At the Field of Remembrance ceremony held at Westminster Abbey on 10 November 2016, Watchman was introduced to HRH Prince Harry and HRH Prince Phillip. Watchman and his handler also featured in the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance event, broadcast on BBC1, broadcast on Saturday 12 November. This was on a section covering the experiences of soldiers from the Staffordshire Regiment in the 1st Gulf War. Watchman V currently holds the rank of Colour Sergeant. He was promoted to sergeant as part of the 2015 St Georges Day celebration held in Tamworth Castle Grounds and Colour sergeant on 21 December 2017 at the Kings Head Pub in Lichfield, as part of the Ferozeshah day celebrations.
A project has been launched to build a life-size bronze statue as a tribute to the Watchman, their handlers and the Staffordshire Regimental family. There is a range of merchandise made in him image for sale at the Staffordshire Regiment Museum, which include soft toys, keying's, pin badges and mugs. Watchman also has a Facebook page, Twitter and Website. The Facebook page is www.facebook.com/watchmanstaffordshire and his Twitter page is www.twitter.com/watchmanmascot and website is www.watchmanv.co.uk. Watchman V formally semi-retired on 5 March due to ill health and most of his role was taken over by Watchman VI. Watchman V lives with his handler and Watchman VI, he is frequently featured on his social media pages with Watchman VI and also attends some events and parades.
Watchman VI
Watchman VI was presented to the regimental association in September 2018. He is a cousin of Watchman V and took over most duties from his predecessor on 5 March 2019. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 5 March 2020 st Swynnerton Training Camp by the Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire Ian Dudson and consort Jane Dudson.
