NEIGHBOURHOOD Watch groups across Rossendale have been handed a new high-tech 'weapon' to fight crime in their communities.

The move follows a successful pilot scheme in Blackburn and Darwen -- believed to be the first of its kind in the country -- in which watch co-ordinators were given an e-mail facility to act as a direct link with police.

Police in western parts of Rossendale have launched the pilot scheme in the area and have said it has already proved it to be an effective asset to help police to crack crime in small communities.

West View Residents Association Chairman Harry Grady said: "We have worked hard to build a quiet community on this estate and we are all really pleased that the scheme has been launched here.

"We hope that the new system will also attract young people to get involved with the Neighbourhood Watch."

Communities in Haslingden, Rawtenstall, Crawshawbooth, Rising Bridge, Edenfield and parts of Waterfoot will all benefit.

Co-ordinators can tell police of anyone they are suspicious of or about any repeated problems and issues of community concern.

And the police can use the link to send messages each week to warn of hotspots and crime trends.

The network also makes it possible to circulate appeals for witnesses, and crime prevention advice.

Sergeant Colin Hudson is launching the scheme. He said: "It will be brilliant asset to help assist us with our crime fighting.

"If the co-ordinators see anything suspicious then they can let the police know this way providing it isn't an emergency.

"We are hoping that it will encourage more people to get involved in Neighbourhood Watches.

"It means we can contact people at the press of a button. Previously this would have meant setting up a radio link, or writing to everybody."

The e-mail facility is part of a telephone which is given to the watches free of charge if they don't already have e-mail facilities in their homes.

It costs them 12p to receive or send a message and replaces the original telephone line.