Criminals will find it even harder to offend in Hertfordshire as more people are working with the police by signing up to Neighbourhood Watch, making the county a hostile place for would-be offenders.

The number of Neighbourhood Watch schemes has also increased to 8177, with over a thousand launched in the past year. With an average of 15 people for every scheme, there are 120,000 eyes and ears helping keep the county a safer place.

Over 40,000 people across the county have signed up to receive crime alerts, police updates, witness appeals and crime prevention messages from Hertfordshire Constabulary to help the police fight crime.

The messages are sent by the pioneering and award winning Online Watch System (OWL). OWL, an internet based tool, is an easy to-use communication system which has helped ward, area and street coordinators send police messages to thousands of their members via phone, text messaging, fax and email.

Superintendent Dave Wharton, who leads for Neighbourhood Watch, said: “I’m delighted that Neighbourhood Watch is going from strength to strength in the county and that local people are working with the police to fight crime. Over 40,000 people are now receiving our important messages and also have an easy and efficient way to pass information to the police which we can use to help make their areas even safer.”

There are a variety of different watches that operate in Hertfordshire, which allow specific messages to be sent to people to keep them informed and ready to take action. These include Business Watch, Rural Watch and Dog Watch – aimed at businesses, rural communities and dog walkers respectively.

Superintendent Wharton continued: “Our involvement with Neighbourhood Watch compliments our work with Hertfordshire County Council and local councils to understand crime and the other issues that matter to people and then to address them. I would like to take this opportunity to thank those people who are involved in Neighbourhood Watch and are making it such a success.”

Anyone in Hertfordshire can check if their street has an active watch scheme or they can join to find out how to start one up themselves by visiting www.owl.co.uk and clicking on the Watch Finder link.

Alternatively, you can call your Watch Liaison Officer on 0845 33 00 222.