A Neighbourhood Watch group is upping its fight against crime with an app to report incidents and a Facebook page to share information and encourage new members to join.

Cambs Times: Neighbourhood WatchNeighbourhood Watch (Image: Archant)

The March team met for the first time this year and talked of plans to develop an app particularly aimed at younger members and to make sure the public know about the voluntary work done to reduce crime and reduce the fear of crime.

Ryan Berridge, secretary, said: “We’re currently looking into developing an app and the Facebook page will soon be up and running.

“March is a very safe town compared to others. Our aim is to keep it that way.

“We wanted to start the year by getting new faces to join and to make sure we let people know about the work that is done.”

The group of about 30 coordinators meet ever other month but a new feature for 2016 will be a coffee morning held in the town’s fire station on the months when they do not meet so that members of the public can air concerns, talk about neighbourhood crime or learn about fire safety issues.

Other new plans are for Neighbourhood Watch members to join Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) when community surgeries are held and for members not on email to receive written reports to stay up to speed with Neighbourhood Watch developments.

The meeting was joined by Inspector Will Davis and Richard Lugg who are part of the group alongside two police officers and three PCSOs.

Neighbourhood Watch began in America in 1964 and came to Britain in 1982 when the first group started in Cheshire.

If you would like to become a coordinator, contact March NHW secretary ryan.berridge@hotmail.co.uk.

Meeting dates are Tuesday March 8, Tuesday May 10, Tuesday July 12, Tuesday September 13, Tuesday November 15.