The number of houses involved in a scheme varies considerably. The ideal number of houses for one person to look after is between 10 and 15.

If numbers are significantly more than this, we recommend additional co-ordinators or contact people. Neighbourhood Watch schemes can be large, covering most of the households on an estate or they might involve just half a dozen houses. It depends on the area and what is wanted by the people living there.

A scheme has a volunteer co-ordinator who gets people working together and, perhaps with a deputy, makes sure things get done. As well as the co-ordinator, there is sometimes a committee. Committees meet regularly to plan which problems to target and what action to take. Scheme members can develop close links with the police, local councils and other local organisations. Your local neighbourhood administrator and police officers can provide advice and pass on information about local crime.

Each scheme is a community initiative supported by the police but not run by them. The success of a scheme depends on the level of activity of its members.