Founder at watch rebirth

THE founder of Neighbourhood Watch, who launched the scheme in the UK in 1982, was in Huntingdon for a re-launch of the scheme in Oxmoor. Gerry Brierley, who now lives in Brampton, started the scheme in Mollington, Cheshire, after seeing a similar scheme

THE founder of Neighbourhood Watch, who launched the scheme in the UK in 1982, was in Huntingdon for a re-launch of the scheme in Oxmoor.

Gerry Brierley, who now lives in Brampton, started the scheme in Mollington, Cheshire, after seeing a similar scheme in the United States.

There are now 3.5million Neighbourhood Watch members in the UK and some 16,000 groups.

The scheme was being revitalised in Huntingdonshire after several spates of vandalism, including cars being set alight on Norfolk Road last month.

The re-launch follows a meeting on March 12 at the Christian Centre in Nene Road, which found 30 additional people from Thongsley, The Waddons and "The Poets" who were interested in becoming Neighbourhood Watch members.

Alan Mackender-Lawrence, community contacts officer for Cambridgeshire Police said: "This was a very good attendance from three roads and we are planning another meeting at the same venue in June.

"The re-launch is part of a new community initiative and we are focusing on crime hotspots. This is a chance for residents to make a difference to the place where they live."

INFORMATION: To join Neighbourhood Watch, contact Alan Mackender-Lawrence on 01480 415538 or through Cambridgeshire police on 0845 456 4564.