These days, the idea of Neighbourhood Watch is everywhere, so it’s hard to believe the idea of keeping your eyes open as a method of crime prevention  only came to these shores comparatively recently.

Neighborhood Watch, as they spelled it, first started in the United States after the murder of Kitty Genovese in 1964. It was said at the time, although has since been disputed, that more than 30 people witnessed Kitty’s murder yet none of them bothered to call the police. To counter the claim that the community didn’t care, the Neighborhood Watch was begun.

It wasn’t until nearly two decades later – 1982 – that the movement crossed the Atlantic and the first UK group was set up in Cheshire.

As far as south-west Hertfordshire is concerned, it appears to have arrived in 1983 – and a year later, in the Watford Observer of October 26, 1984, a first birthday feature set out to discover whether it had any effect on preventing crime.

“Jokes about nosey neighbours are a thing of the past in many areas of south-west Hertfordshire thanks to the innovation of Neighbourhood Watch, which celebrated its first birthday this month,” the report begins.

“An import from the United States, Watch is the scheme whereby people co-ordinate into groups and undertake to keep a caring eye on the community and to raise the alarm for police and other emergency services if the need arises.

 “Watch was introduced to this area in Moor Park by retired Savoy Hotel Group director Phil Poulton 12 months ago.

“Since then, crime on the estate has been reduced by almost a third, though the crime rate for the Rickmansworth area as a whole is on the increase. A further 15 schemes have been set up with five more in the pipeline.

“Mr Poulton said: ‘As far as Moor Park is concerned, Neighbourhood Watch has been an unqualified success. Generally the enthusiasm is still very high, as was borne out at the recent anniversary meeting.

 “‘During the year, crime was down, according to police statistics, by 27 per cent but I am sure it will get even better the more people realise how valuable their contribution to Neighbourhood Watch is.

“‘I would predict a reduction in crime of 40 per cent or better during the second year of operation but this is only possible if organisers keep active.

“‘Neighbourhood Watch signs, while being valuable as a mark of involvement by the residents in a particular area, are not in themselves a guarantee of safety. Citizen involvement is essential if the scheme is going to work.’”

It was certainly popular, in this area at least. According to crime prevention officer Dave Walker: “Growth of Neighbourhood Watch schemes in this area has been phenomenal. There are now more schemes in existence in Watford and Rickmansworth than in the rest of the county put together.”

He added one of the principle aims of the group was to create a more caring society, much as was intended back at the beginning in the USA in 1964. And Mr Poulton was determined that the plan should succeed.

“I have a personal ambition to see Neighbourhood Watch spread county wide within 12 months,” he was quoted as saying. “I realise that may sound a little ambitious but now I am retired, I can devote as much time as I want to see the scheme succeed.”

He continued: “I have already told police I intend to devote my energies to Neighbourhood Watch until it is county wide and I am prepared to travel anywhere in Hertfordshire to discuss the Moor Park set up and give advice on how to organise schemes from scratch. I am not working in competition with police crime prevention initiatives but in conjunction with them. I have their full support as they have mine.”

These days, 30 years later, Neighbourhood Watch is one of the UK’s largest voluntary movements, covering approximately 3.8 million households nationwide.

Here in Hertfordshire there are more than 10,000 active watches in the county. There are also a similar number of businesses and residents signed up to other schemes such as Business Watch, Dog Watch and Rural Watch.

Police actively support these schemes and say crime is often lower where there are active Neighbourhood Watches. In fact, there are many other benefits including discounted home cover with some insurance companies.

To find out more, visit www.owl.co.uk/herts.