PEOPLE in part of Worsthorne have joined forces with police in Burnley in a bid to reduce crime in their area.

A Neighbourhood Watch scheme has been set up in the Lindsay Park area and 33 local people will be encouraged to become the eyes and ears of the police, reporting any suspicious or criminal behaviour and working with local community police officers.

The scheme hit a stumbling block when signs with square edges were purchased -- contravening health and safety regulations.

But now Burnley Borough Council has changed the signs to ensure they have rounded corners.

Neighbourhood Watch schemes are led by a volunteer co-ordinator whose job is to get people working together and make sure things get done.

As well as the co-ordinator there is usually a committee which meet regularly to plan which problems to target and what action to take.

Schemes keep in close touch with the local police to share information and advice using e-mail machines which the police supply free of charge to local Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators.

Local Police Community Support Officer Dave Johnson said: "While the police have a key role to play in tackling crime and disorder, it is not our sole responsibility.

"We all need to work together to help prevent and detect crime and schemes like Neighbourhood Watch can be a great help.

"We're delighted to be working alongside residents in the Lindsay Park area to combat crime and ensure that the neighbourhood continues to be a safe place in which to live."

More than 155,000 Neighbourhood Watch schemes operate throughout the United Kingdom covering up to 25 per cent of all households.