Police last night hailed the official relaunch of its Neighbourhood Watch programme a success after about 50 residents turned out to sign up and others called to register support.

Community Beat Officers (CBOs) were already making plans at last night's meeting to organise new groups and inaugural meetings across the Island after people raised concerns about burglaries and cycle thefts.

The CBOs organised the re-launch in a bid to rejuvenate the Neighbourhood Watch programme, which has slowly disintegrated over the years to an almost non-existent state.

But Pc Tracy Hannah told those at the meeting last night that the CBO unit was determined not to let that happen again, but said it needed help and interest from the community in order for it to work.

She said: "Many people assume that crime prevention is solely the responsibility of the Police Service. Crime prevention is, in fact, the responsibility of every resident in Bermuda.

"Throughout the world, crimes against property are on the increase. On average, Bermuda records 600 complaints of housebreaking and burglary every year, including hotels and guest accommodations.

"Police alone cannot significantly reduce crime. They must have the help and assistance of the community."

And she said there were many advantages for residents to join or form a Neighbourhood Watch group, including:

Increased flow of communication between neighbours;

Increased communication with Police;

Heightened awareness of surroundings;

Crime prevention advice;

Means to address specific concerns; and

Springboard for residents to press for general neighbourhood improvements, such as lighting.

She said the ideal Neighbourhood Watch group would contain between 15 and 20 houses, but Police were more than willing to start with much less in the hope that more could be encouraged to join.

And Pc Hannah said residents should not feel as though they were being nosy neighbours or busy bodies by attempting to start a group because it would benefit everyone in their area.

One resident, who lives in the Langton Hill area of Pembroke, said he and his neighbours formed a group in 1994 but had seen very little of any Police officers since.

But Sgt. Darrin Simons, head of the CBO team, said that was exactly why the programme was being launched and said all of his officers were contactable by cell phone.

He said the aim of the initiative was to get both the community beat officers and residents much more acquainted, and said Police would attend meetings as often as residents wished, and would help to door knock in a bid to muster support.

However, he said Neighbourhood Watch was also about educating residents to look after themselves and each other better by helping to create a better community spirit.

He said: "It is about empowering you, the residents. It's a bit like feeding a village, or instead teaching the village to fish."

Pc Hannah said: "Neighbourhood Watch is a community initiative designed to reduce threats to you, your family and your property.

"Group members are encouraged to take steps to make their homes more secure and to watch out for anybody acting suspiciously, or committing a crime.

"If you see someone from outside of the area acting suspiciously, you can pass that on to each other, and then pass it on to us. We need your help."

During the meeting, Pc Hannah told The Royal Gazette that about 50 people had attended, but that she had also received about eight calls from members of the public who wished to know more, but were unable to attend last night's gathering.

Anyone who would like more information should contact the community beat office on 299-4513, or Pc Hannah on 515-0970.