The NSW Liberals & Nationals will help make our streets safer through a genuine partnership between Police and local communities, NSW Opposition Leader Barry O'Farrell and Shadow Minister for Police Mike Gallacher said today announcing a 21st Century Neighbourhood Watch Program.

"Nothing can replace having Police on the beat, local communities should be able to help in the fight against local crime,” Anthony Roberts MP, Member for Lane Cove said.

“Neighbourhood Watch can breech the gap between Police and the community, especially in areas where local stations have been closed down, such as Lane Cove, Mr Roberts said.

 “Local people working in collaboration with local Police through community policing is a most effective way of tackling crime.

"Neighbourhood Watch was one of the most well-established and successful community policing initiatives.

“The NSW Liberals & Nationals want to bring that back, modernise it, and make it relevant for communities today. It will act as another arm of the Police Force's community policing initiatives.

"If elected, we will breathe new life into Neighbourhood Watch by:

• Requiring every Local Area Command (LAC) to have at least one Neighbourhood Watch group;
• Piloting ten Online Neighbourhood Watch Groups that allow people to discuss local crime trends and share information over the internet as well as allowing Police to issue real time warnings to members; and,
• Create a specialist team of Community Intelligence Information Officers based at Police Assistance Line locations to analyse crime data for Local Area Commands and Neighbourhood Watch groups.

"When the State Labor Government abandoned Neighbourhood Watch they threw the baby out with the bathwater, said Mr Roberts.

 “The NSW Liberals & Nationals aren't going to participate in another law & order auction at the March 2011 State Election; instead, we're going to present smart and sensible plans that engage the community, encourage common sense crime prevention, and support frontline Police,” he said.