FLADBURY is the only village in Wychavon that has a Neighbourhood Watch scheme covering its whole area – and now has the signs to prove it.

Craig Cox, West Mercia Neighbourhood Watch chairman presented Ian Baldry, Fladbury Neighbourhood Watch coordinator with two new Neighbourhood Watch signs at last month's parish council meeting.

The signs have now been erected at the entrance points of the village.

Mr Cox said he was delighted that through the efforts of Mr Baldry along with the support of PC Paul Brown and PCSO Chris Tugwell, 118 households in the village Fladbury had become registered members of Neighbourhood Watch since the end of September.

He said that this was the fastest growth of any new Neighbourhood Watch Scheme in the whole of West Mercia.

Mr Cox went on to say that a proactive Neighbourhood Watch Scheme not only helps to prevent crime but also brings the community closer together.

The more households that are registered then the more effective a Neighbourhood Watch scheme becomes. Social media is proving to be a very powerful tool in keeping members informed.

PC Brown said that Fladbury is the only village in Wychavon that has in place a Neighbourhood Watch that covers the whole village and is very keen to see other villages follow the example.

He said: "Through Neighbourhood Watch we need the public to act as our eyes and ears in helping to prevent crime. I would be very happy to provide advice to any villages within Wychavon who are wanting to set up a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.

Keen interest has also been shown by the residents for the We don’t Buy Crime – Smartwater initiative which will be rolled out this year along with other crime prevention initiatives.