A NEIBOUHOOD Watch scheme is going from strength to strength in Hadleigh.

More than 700 new homes have signed up to the scheme.

Recent recruitment efforts by neighbour specialist officer PC Sharon Lawrence and the Hadleigh Neighbourhood Policing Team, including the leafleting of scores of homes in the targeted area, have seen the appointment of 11 new co-ordinators representing a further 17 roads.

The co-ordinators and their fellow residents will be joined by Castle Point Deputy Mayor Norman Ladzrie, and other council members at a special launch event to be held at Hadleigh Church Hall on Saturday, April 19 between 2pm 4pm.

PC Lawrence and PSCO Jac Hill, who was instrumental in recruiting the co-ordinators, will be available to meet residents informally after the launch proceedings.

PC Lawrence said: "This will be the largest ever NHW launch in Hadleigh and Benfleet and underlines the growing recognition among residents that the scheme has an important contribution to make in helping to keep their neighbourhood safe.

"NHW members are essential to the success of neighbourhood policing and pivotal to its "help us to help you" focus. It allows people to be involved in improving their own area.

"We would like to see every road in Hadleigh covered by the scheme and are working towards this target."