Crime fighters get hi-tech police link

Neighbourhood Watch schemes in Staffordshire are getting a new web-based communication system that could get members all of a twitter.

Online Watch Link (OWL) will be used by members of 4,000 Watch schemes in the county and can now receive messages from the force about criminal activity on-line. OWL has been developed by a software provider working with Hertfordshire Constabulary and replaces the old WatchOut system which issued alerts to Watches from the police.

OWL is being launched in the region with a series of events throughout the county and Stoke-on-Trent.

The on-line system is hoped to appeal to a new generation of Watch members. The hi-tech, highly convenient access is aimed at encouraging families to participate in community-focused activity that will benefit their neighbourhoods.

Staffordshire Police lead on Neighbourhood Watch Chief Insp Phil Fortun said: "The new OWL system has given us an excellent opportunity to raise awareness about Neighbourhood Watch. We're hoping that the convenience of the web-based system will attract some younger people and some families to get involved."

As well as email, phone fax and text messages, Watch members can log on to a website where they can see information about crime-busting success stories around the area and crime prevention advice.

Watch members can already receive their messages by email.

"Neighbourhood Watch is very much about two-way communication between Watch scheme members and the police," Mr Fortun said.

"OWL is a more convenient way of managing the flow of information to and from Neighbourhood Watch schemes. OWL will allow that communication to become easier to manage and achieve."