THREE new Street Watch schemes will be set up in Dunstable and Houghton Regis, with the help of a £7,700 grant from the Home Office.
The cash will fund new Street Watch schemes on Dunstable’s Downside estate and Houghton’s Tithe Farm and Sandringham Drive areas.
Police say higher levels of anti-social behaviour, “serious acquisitive crime” and domestic burglary have been identified there.
Street Watch involves people helping to build stronger and safer neighbourhoods.
They carry out street patrols, identifying and resolving low levels of nuisance and anti-social behaviour.
Police emphasise that the neighbours are not doing the job of police officers or PCSOs and have no more power than ordinary citizens.
Each scheme relies on Street Watch finding co-ordinators and volunteers prepared to give two hours each month and keep the national website up-to-date about their activities.
They also have to be vetted at the same level as police volunteers.
Bedfordshire Street Watch co-ordinator John Plummer, who applied for the grant, said: “Residents, especially the elderly and vulnerable members of our communities, appreciate what we do, and feel comforted when they see Street Watch out on patrol as it gives them a sense of well-being and reduces their fear of crime.”
Sgt Clare Thomas, of Houghton’s local policing team, added: “Street Watch is a classic example of the community and police working in partnership to reduce crime and increase feelings of safety.”
She said: “The ethos of Street Watch is to give residents the opportunity to get to know their communities better. We would urge anyone interested in setting up a similar scheme in their area to get in touch.”
Anyone interested in joining the Street Watch scheme can call the police non-emergency 101 number or check out www.street-watch.org.uk.