After a few weeks of burglaries in the Ross-on-Wye area being reported every day, sometimes several on any one day, it seems as if things have settled down again. However, the local Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) executive committee member is warning people not to be complacent. He said this is the time to be more vigilant than usual.

He told the Ross Gazette that he has posted a warning on the Ross-on-Wye Notice Board Facebook page to try to alert people.

He said: “After an intense spate of thefts, et cetera, in a short time span, the thieves and burglars back off from the area as they know everyone starts to be very vigilant and everybody is on the lookout for strange and suspicious behaviour. But as time goes on, people start to relax a little and everyone’s daily lives starts to reduce that vigilance.

“This is just what these people want us to do and they repeat this pattern time and time again. Our area will no doubt become their focus yet again very soon.”

The NHW organiser, who prefers not to be named, said people need to remain vigilant at all times.

He said this is why being part of NHW is very important as reminders can be circulated as well as information about crimes, and ways of reporting any suspicious activity.

He added that the West Mercia Neighbourhood Watch has an official social media page. This is run by administrator who is anonymous. Information can be contributed and posted anonymously. People can comment, but the original information is always strictly anonymous.

He said that it is vital in days of cutbacks to the number of police that members of the public keep their eyes and ears open. He said that people need to report any suspicious activity in their local area (people or vehicles that are unfamiliar). If it is possible, try to get a Vehicle Registration Number and a description of the occupants or anybody walking around your area that looks out of place. He said residents should not hesitate to report details to the police on 101 and inform their neighbours.

In recent years, some Neighbourhood Watch schemes did get a bad name, as they were seen as an excuse for people to snoop on their neighbours, but the aim is to be aware of people who are out of place.

Any unusual activity in a residential street should be reported as it helps the police to build up intelligence. Neighbourhood Watch schemes can be a few houses, a whole road or an entire housing estate, with their main purpose being to filter information from the Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) to residents and for residents to pass information back to the police.

There is a lot of information regarding setting up a Neighbourhood Watch on the website, www.westmercia.police.uk.