A PARTNERSHIP of organisations is preparing to offer the best advice in crime prevention to towns and villages.

Residents from all parts of the district are invited to two neighbourhood watch (NHW) awareness evenings organised by the Hambleton Community Safety Partnership.

The informative events aim to encourage communities to set up NHW schemes with advice and encouragement from community police officers, security companies and scheme members.

Community safety officer Val Dodsworth said: "The meetings are about sharing best practice between different organisations and making Hambleton residents aware of the advantages to joining NHW schemes."

The partnership's newest officer, PC Mark Roberts, of North Yorkshire Police specialises in NHW schemes and will attend the meetings in Thirsk and Northallerton.

He said: "Statistics prove that areas covered by a NHW scheme have less burglaries than those that are not.

"Forces across the country have had the system put in place where crime is rife and seen the crime figures fall dramatically.

"Showing that a community is part of a scheme can also act as a deterrent for any would-be burglar. Many offenders are opportunists and so if they see a NHW sign they know that the residents are more vigilant in that area.

"Thirdly, schemes can generate a better community spirit among the people and neighbours start to look out for one another."

Living in an area protected by NHW can also have its financial benefits. PC Roberts said many insurance companies offer reduced premiums to those residents whose properties are covered by a scheme.

The informal evenings will also teach residents about the security systems that are already operational in many of the district's NHW areas.

PC Roberts said: "The key point to NHW is that it is run by volunteers and they can do as much or as little as they please. By coming along residents will learn that they can do an awful lot by themselves to prevent crime."

The meetings will be held at Romanby Golf Club, near Northallerton, on Tuesday between 7pm and 9pm, and at the Golden Fleece, Thirsk, at the same time on Tuesday, February 18. For details, call (01609) 767196.