IT S not all curtain twitching and nosey neighbours. That s the message to community-minded people keen on helping fellow residents. They are being asked if they are interested in setting up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in their road. The idea will be exp

IT'S not all curtain twitching and nosey neighbours.

That's the message to community-minded people keen on helping fellow residents.

They are being asked if they are interested in setting up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in their road.

The idea will be explored at a public meeting being held at Stevenage Art and Leisure Centre on Thursday, November 9.

Speakers at the evening include Herts Chief Constable Frank Whiteley who is the Association of Chief Police Officers lead on Neighbourhood Watch.

Also speaking will be Cllr Bob Clark, Stevenage Borough Council's executive member for community safety, Stevenage community inspector Mark Furnival along with members of his team and Phil Stonehewer, a Watch coordinator who will be talking about what Neighbourhood Watch did for him.

Insp Furnival said: "There is a misconception by some people that Neighbourhood Watch is about curtain twitching and nosey neighbours and we want to show the people of Stevenage that this is simply not the case.

"We have evidence to show that where there are active Neighbourhood Watches in the town crime is lower, something which we are determined to build on with our partner agencies.

"The new national Safer Neighbourhoods strategy means that the police and local councils are working much more closely with local communities in a bid to fight crime and anti-social behaviour.

"We are hoping that the evening will encourage people who are out at work in the daytime to set up Neighbourhood Watches too. Retired people and stay at home parents are a vital part of the watches but there is a role for others who may only be around in the evening and at the weekend."

The evening will start at 6.30pm with refreshments being served. The presentations will begin at 7pm and will last for around an hour followed by a question and answer session. All are welcome.

Cllr Clark said: "Getting involved in Neighbourhood Watch is a great way to make a positive contribution to your community and make it a safer place for everyone.

"We work closely with the police to make Stevenage a safe community we can all be proud of. You can help us achieve this by coming along to the leisure centre on November 9 and telling us what we can do to make your area a safer and better place to live.