Helping prevent crime before it happens and assisting police is an admirable ambition for any community.

And it's achievable, too, with the help of Neighbourhood Support.

Neighbourhood Support Tauranga administrator Cathy Hayes says being part of an active group can help to reduce crime in your street.

'A group of attentive neighbours looking out for each other – aided by street signs and window/letterbox stickers – is a strong deterrent to crime in a neighbourhood.”

Cathy says Neighbourhood Support has been operating in Tauranga for a good number of years, but due to people moving away, or changing contact details, records haven't been kept up-to-date.

'There are also areas where no Neighbourhood Support groups exist, or where previous groups are no longer active.”

Fixing these ‘black spots' is part of Cathy's current membership drive.

'We hope to inject some enthusiasm again.”

And it really does work. Neighbours keeping an eye out have spotted suspicious activity, such as strangers walking up driveways when the house's occupants are out. Reporting or investigating such things helps prevent crime, or solve it.

Members also receive regular updates from Police informing them of crime data related to their neighbourhoods.

But Cathy says, at another level, it's also about getting to know one another.

'As well as helping to prevent crime, Neighbourhood Support also aims to connect neighbours to build stronger and friendlier communities.”

Anyone interested in joining their local Neighbourhood Support, or starting a group in their neck of the woods, should get in touch with Cathy on 07 579 2040, or via email: [email protected]