Bedale’s Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) scheme is being given a facelift by members of the town’s Safer Neighbourhood Police Team.

All existing scheme co-ordinators and their deputies are being invited to special meetings next week to meet the police officers covering Bedale and the surrounding area as well as a representative of the Hambleton Community Safety Partnership.

“I strongly believe in NHW and the benefits it brings to communities – it reduces crime, fosters good strong working relationships with local police and partners and enhances neighbourhood relationships”, said PC Lee Featherstone, of the Bedale Safer Neighbourhood Team.

“Sadly over recent years some of that community spirit has been lost. Fewer people know or care about their neighbours or someone else’s property. Issues are thought to be other people’s problems and they are rarely resolved.

But through NHW we have an opportunity to change all that.”

The meetings are taking place at The Lodge at Leeming Bar on Thursday at 7pm and Friday at 2pm.