Over the last year approximately 40 Neighbourhood Watch schemes have been launched across Blaenau Gwent and Caerphilly, as residents work together to help safeguard their neighbourhoods.

This brings the total number of active schemes in the area to 63, but officers are appealing for more residents to join existing schemes or start their own!

Neighbourhood Watch schemes can be run for a couple of houses, a few streets or even for a whole housing estate to help cut the opportunities for crime and anti-social behaviour.

They also help to provide reassurance to local residents, encourage close communities and improve the quality of life for residents and tenants.

Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators are responsible for running their schemes and for example, decide how often the local members need to meet.

The local Neighbourhood Policing Teams keep in contact with the co-ordinators and provide a link into the police. Co-ordinators are provided with up-to-date information and intelligence on local issues and will be asked to assist officers in providing information on crime and disorder in their neighbourhood.

If you would like to find out more about starting a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in the Caerphilly area, please contact Richard Williams on 01433 865519.