Villagers have been invited to attend a meeting, organised by Cruden Bay Community Association, to discuss the possibility of setting up a Neighbourhood Watch initiative in the area.

Community Association member, Fiona Abenheimer, commented: "These schemes have proven very valuable in other areas in the prevention and reduction of local crime.

"In recognising that the police alone cannot make a major impact on crime, the Chief Constable is firmly committed to encouraging community support for local crime prevention initiatives."

Mrs Abenheimer added: "The viability of the scheme will depend on the number of people expressing an interest, therefore a good attendance would be greatly appreciated. The security of local communities is something which should concern every resident."

Neighbourhood Watch involves community participation - where residents and their local Police Officers co-operate in a joint venture aimed at decreasing the opportunities for crime in a neighbourhood.

The programme is based on the 'good neighbours' concept and encourages householders to take an interest in the security of each others property and report suspicious or unusual activity to the Police; mark their valuable property and personal possessions with their post code, as a deterrent to the would-be thief and to aid recovery should any item be lost or stolen; and improve the security of their own homes in consultation with the local Crime Prevention Officer.

Representatives from the local authority, the Community Association, Community Council and Grampian Police will be present at the meeting.
The police representative will be explaining the concept and objectives of Neighbourhood Watch; providing information on home security and the security marking of personal property; and introducing the local Officers who will assist in servicing the scheme and act as the local point of contact for its members.

The meeting will be held in Cruden Bay Public Hall on Wednesday October 8 at 7.30pm.