Boost to increase support for A £2,000 cash boost has been given to Neighbourhood Watch in Hertsmere by the borough council.

The council has also agreed to provide staff back-up to Watch schemes, after it was made aware of problems at a meeting with Watch heads on August 28.

At the meeting, Kevin Boles, chairman of the Borough Watch Committee, told councillors there had recently been a discouraging drop in support for Neighbourhood Watch. Councillors also heard about problems which led to the resignation of a Bushey Watch co-ordinator.

Neighbourhood Watch hopes to hold a public meeting in the autumn, at the Three Ways Community Centre in Borehamwood, to encourage the setting up of groups in the town, which has only 15 per cent of its streets covered by schemes, compared to 95 per cent in Potters Bar.