CAROL HENDEY is a woman with a mission.

Her aim is to make Blackburn and Darwen a safer place to live and promote social harmony in the community - and so far she is not doing a bad job, thanks to your help.

For since being appointed community crime prevention officer in April, 1996, Carol has been thrilled at the response of the public in starting up their own Neighbourhood Watch schemes.

Blackburn and Darwen now have more than 300 watch schemes, making it one of the biggest in the county.

She said: "I am absolutely delighted with the response I have had since I have been here but you can never have too many schemes. My job is to assist communities in starting up schemes and help them in any way I can.

"Some need more help than others and some are more organised than others. Neighbourhood Watch is not just about protecting homes, it is about building up community spirit."

She added: "As a police force we do not have the resources to fight crime all on our own and we need the help of the public. In that respect they can be our eyes and ears.

"But it does not, as many people believe, mean having to become 'nosy neighbours' or having to patrol the streets in search of wrongdoers. What is does mean is looking out for each other, especially the elderly and vulnerable, and taking a more active role in crime prevention in your area."

Anyone interested in joining a Neighbourhood Watch scheme should contact Carol on 353540.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.