Worcester Park insurance premiums set to rise if local neighbourhood watch folds

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 12th Oct 2004

The future of Neighbourhood Watch in Worcester Park hangs in the balance. After 11 years of service the current Co-coordinator is stepping down this Christmas. Without a Co-coordinator the area will lose its status as a Neighbourhood Watch and this can lead to an increase in insurance premiums.

Sutton and Cheam MP, Paul Burstow, is backing attempts by Neighbourhood Watch to recruit a new co-coordinator. He is contacting hundreds of residents in Worcester Park alerting them to the threat hanging over their local Watch. He said:

"Neighbourhood watch plays an important role in tackling and reducing the fear of crime. The fact that insurance companies offer lower premiums to areas covered by Neighbourhood Watch speaks volumes for the value of being part of a local Watch.

"I hope that residents in Worcester Park will feel moved to offer their help to keep Neighbourhood Watch going. Anyone who is interested should get in touch and have a chat with the organisers."

The Co-coordinators job includes distributing Neighbourhood Watch Newsletters to the deliverers in each road. If you would be interested in volunteering for this role or would like to talk to someone in Neighbourhood Watch about it ring Peter Pankhurst on 020 8649 0453