ORGANISERS of a neighbourhood watch scheme in East Swindon say they are delighted to see the community coming together to beat crime.

The crime prevention group was set up eight months ago at the request of residents, mainly because of anti-social behaviour in the area. Locals even labelled Eldene as ‘the ghetto’.

Co-ordinators have now been established in Liden, Covingham, Nythe, Coleview, Eldene and Dorcan, feeding information to volunteer street reps who inform the community about anything going on.

The watch works closely with the police and the different estates interact with one another to help the rest of the community.

Over the past eight months Coun Kevin Parry, of Covingham and Dorcan ward, has helped build the neighbourhood watch.

Coun Parry said: “This is something that the community was crying out for and the benefits of having a setup like this will help our communities.

“We can achieve great things by working with the police to support each other to combat crime.

“The network we have established is about being one step ahead, this is the best way to make the area we live in safer and stronger.”

At the last meeting in Nythe, more thanr 45 residents attended to hear how the group can help their community.

Coun Parry said: “We have found that it works a whole lot better when we hold individual meetings in each location rather than holding one meeting for every area as we noticed only people from that area would turn up.

“We encourage all residents to come along to the next meeting. You never know what’s around the corner, but you can be prepared.”

The next neighbourhood watch meeting is in the Liden Community Centre on July 18, starting at 7pm.

Speakers will include Coun Parry, the police and Nythe Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator Tina Mayo.