Following a series of burglaries during the winter months in Stephenson Way, Bourne, police community support officer Graeme Parrott encouraged residents to set up a neighbourhood watch scheme, which has reduced the burglaries "significantly".

He is now urging others to get involved, particularly as it is national neighbourhood watch week which runs until Monday.

Officer Parrott said: "Stephenson Way is a prize example of how neighbourhood watch schemes should work.

"There are quite a few neighbourhoods in the scheme in Bourne but there are plenty that aren't and we would like to see more in the town to try and reduce crime."

Because of the size and shape of Stephenson Way it has six
co-ordinators, who are responsible for passing information between neighbours and the police and to distribute information on crime either by telephone or through a ringmaster e-mail system.

Ingrid Artus is one of the six. She also recommends the scheme.
She said: "Why wait to read about a burglary in your street up to six days after it happened in your weekly paper?

"With this scheme, all the relevant information can be at your disposal within 24 hours."

Barry Harriman, also a co-ordinator, said the cul-de-sac where he lives sprung into action after two burglaries.

He said: "All the residents were of a similar opinion – it will never happen to us in our quiet little street. Perhaps we had all become a little complacent.

"We quickly got the scheme off the ground with the invaluable help of Graeme Parrott and I think the activity around it just keeps reminding everyone to be vigilant."

Chairman of Bourne and district neighbourhood watch Trevor Windle said: "By letting the police know of anything suspicious that you see or hear, you are helping to reduce the opportunities for crime to occur.
"The more difficult it can be made for the criminal, the more likely it is that crime can be reduced. Members of watch schemes are not vigilantes. Patrolling the streets is a job for the police and they will act upon the information supplied by residents. Watch schemes are not police-run groups."

For more information on how to set up your own scheme visit www.bournedistrictnw.co.uk