NEIGHBOURHOOD Watch is going online for a new service aimed at encouraging people to set up or join schemes in their community.

As part of Neighbourhood Watch week, Gwent Police has been running events across the area promoting the Online Watch Link (OWL).

The initiative enables easy communication between officers, residents, co-ordinators and Neighbourhood Watch schemes.

Superintendent Dave Johnson, who has been leading OWL’s implementation, said: “It really is a fantastic system that will help to make our communication with Neighbourhood Watch members more efficient. OWL offers a range of communication options to suit the needs of individual people, reflecting the many ways that we now communicate using modern technology.

Neighbourhood Watch has always been a valuable ally in our drive to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour and I encourage people to join and help us make their communities even safer.”

There are more than 900 Neighbourhood Watch schemes in Gwent and OWL was trialled in Monmouthshire last year before its launch last month.

Users can choose the format for receiving messages – phone, e-mail, fax or text – that best suits them, which can be set up to go to individual addresses, streets, areas, wards or towns. The system also allows members to report problems such as broken street lights to local councils through a ‘fix my street’ application. Those already signed up are receiving regular information about action being taken to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, crime prevention advice, incident alerts and dates of PACT meetings.

For more information or to sign up, visit gwent.police.uk