BASILDON and Thurrock's top policeman has urged residents to be the force's "eyes and ears" and join Neighbourhood Watch schemes.

Chief supt Maurice Mason made the plea to residents in the wake of national Neighbourhood watch week.

Last week, officers from both areas were out in force encouraging people to sign up to the scheme.

Mr Mason said: "Members of a Neighbourhood Watch group are the eyes and ears of a community.

"They provide an invaluable point of contact between police and local people so that local issues can be quickly dealt with.

"Neighbourhood Watch extends the ethos of the police and community working together and we are looking to extend it to more areas of Basildon and Thurrock to make places safer and enhance residents' quality of life."

Retired officer Geoff Whiter, chairman of Basildon Council's Neighbourhood Watch steering group, said the organisation is looking to recruit more co-ordinators for streets and wards.

The co-ordinators are kept in the loop about crime and criminals in their area and help distribute newsletters to residents.

Mr Whiter added: "Being a co-ordinator is not about net curtain watching or trying to get to know the ins and outs of the people down your street.

"It is about liaising with police and spreading information to other members of the watch."

People interested in signing up to be volunteers can contact their local crime reduction officers Mick Armstrong at Basildon police or Alan Twine at Grays on 0300 333 4444.

Alternatively, contact geoff.whiter@essex.pnn.police.uk.