GORLESTON residents targeted by burglars have pledged to take a stand against criminals by setting up a Home Watch scheme. People living in the Victoria Road area are working with officers from Gorleston Safer Neighbourhood Team to set-up the scheme, to improve awareness of home security and increase information sharing.

GORLESTON residents targeted by burglars have pledged to take a stand against criminals by setting up a Home Watch scheme.

People living in the Victoria Road area are working with officers from Gorleston Safer Neighbourhood Team to set-up the scheme, to improve awareness of home security and increase information sharing.

Since April there have been a number of burglaries in the area and in several cases properties had been left insecure.

In response to the burglaries SNT members held a day-long street briefing and did a leaflet drop providing residents with crime prevention advice.

Feedback from the public resulted in the team appealing for volunteers for a Home Watch scheme, which Victoria Road resident Martyn Walker was keen to drive forward.

He said: “From the start people have been very supportive of the scheme and said they would be fully behind it if one was set up.

“Although people are giving extra consideration to home security like locking windows when they leave their home for a short while, this scheme will improve awareness of home security.”

The group already has 10 co-ordinators assisting in running the scheme, but a further six are needed before it can be fully rolled out. Leaflets informing residents about the scheme will soon be delivered to homes in the area.

Police community support officer Dawn Kemp said the burglaries had a major impact on people living in the area and previous street briefings and leaflet drops had been successful.

PCSO Kemp added: “This is a scheme which the residents wanted and it will be run by the residents with police available to advise them. The creation of this Home Watch scheme is about turning something negative which had a big impact on the community into something positive."

Seven residents on Victoria Road have already taken advantage of free crime prevention surveys, providing advice on how to improve home security and the opportunity to mark property with a UV marking kit.

The Home Watch scheme covers the area around Victoria Road between Park Road and Bridge Road, and includes about 250 properties.

Members are notified by phone or email approximately once or twice a week about incidents happening in the area which may affect them. Co-ordinators act as a central point of contact between the residents and the Police and other authorities.

Anyone interested in becoming Home Watch scheme co-ordinator should contact Gorleston SNT on 0845 456 4567 or email sntgorleston@norfolk.pnn.police.uk.