As part of National Neighbourhood Watch week (12 – 19 June), West Berkshire police area will be supporting the local group’s event in the Kennet Centre, Newbury, on Thursday 1 July, hoping to encourage householders to sign up to existing schemes or to set up new ones in areas not already covered.

Angela Money, chairman of Newbury Neighbourhood Watch, is organising the event. She said: “A survey carried out by a major insurance company has shown that living in areas covered by a scheme really can reduce the likelihood of you becoming a victim of crime.

“On 1 July I want people to drop by and get information about how they can get involved. We will be situated in the Kennet Centre so we hope to attract plenty of interest from passing shoppers.”

Insp Laura MacInnes, partnership inspector for West Berkshire police area, said: “Neighbourhood Watch is a vital tool for us and members provide us with quality and timely information about all sorts of criminal activity or suspicious behaviour.

“We rely upon the communities we serve to act as our eyes and ears at a very local level and know from experience that, as well as assisting us, the people involved find that their community is drawn closer together as a result, which helps many people feel safer.”

On the day people will also be able to visit stands hosted by Thames Valley Police,

the Thames Valley Air Ambulance, Newbury Volunteer Bureau, Royal Berkshire Fire Service, Newbury Locks, Crimestoppers, Trading Standards and the Institute of Advanced Driving, all of whom will be providing information between 10am and 4pm.