WITH national Neighbourhood and Home Watch week underway, two of Malvern's most dedicated members are backing this year's initiative.

The week aims to raise awareness of frauds and scams, and Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) schemes in the Malvern Hills district are certainly doing their bit to tackle the "sophisticated" scheme.

John Lakeman, chairman of Malvern Hills Neighbourhood Watch and Teme Valley, said: "We need people to be aware of the scams and frauds that are going on. They are becoming more sophisticated.

"We have a very well supported scheme here (Tenbury Wells), with crimes reported to us all the time, but unfortunately scams are becoming more and more frequent."

Paul Leopold, chairman of West Mercia Police Neighbourhood Watch and trustee of Malvern Hills Neighbourhood Watch, says the message needs to be spread in order to combat the "crime of the time."

Mr Leopold, who is a former chief superintendent with The Metropolitan Police, said: "Fraud is the crime of the time. We don't know how much of it goes on, but we know it happens everyday and is devastating for the victims.

"We alert people of what is going on, spread the messages from organisations, like Action Fraud, and circulate the warnings so people can avoid becoming a victim of fraud. That's the best way to combat it."

Mr Leopold says throughout the year, NHW schemes reduce crime in areas that they are active, and is encouraging people to sign up.

He said: "The way it operates, and the way messages are spread between neighbours has changed over the years, with email now the main mode of contact.

"Despite that, the principal of the scheme remains exactly the same, and is still a brilliant operation.

"We know that signs and warnings that a NHW scheme is active does deter criminals from carrying out crime in the neighbourhood that they are displayed."

Sergeant Ian Blanchard, of Malvern Hills Safer Neighbourhood Team, says the NHW plays an "important" role within the community.

He said: "I'm extremely pleased to support Malvern Hills Neighbourhood Watch. They play an important role within the community in being the eyes and ears for us, reporting any suspicious activity to the police.

"They also give valuable support to vulnerable members of the community by supplying crime prevention advice and information about their neighbourhood."

For more information on NHW in the Malvern Hills, visit neighbourhoodwatchmalvernhills.org.uk

To find out more about the national campaign, which ends on Sunday, go to ourwatch.org.uk