Tauranga households concerned about crime and home invasions in their neighbourhoods are being invited to join Western Bay of Plenty Neighbourhood Support to help protect themselves and their neighbours.

About 50 people met in Bethlehem on Saturday to discuss a series of home invasions where people reported having burglars enter their homes, and steal handbags, credit cards and other items.

The meeting was attended by Neighbourhood Support's chair and deputy chair, Western Bay MP Todd Muller, and representatives from Community Patrol and Western Bay of Plenty District Council.

Neighbourhood Support chair Kathy Webb says about 15,000 families are already members of the organisation throughout the Western Bay, with signs and stickers in their streets advertising it was a Neighbourhood Support area.

The organisation works to make homes, streets, neighbourhoods and communities safer and more caring places, she says.

'We know that areas where there are Street Groups have less crime than those that don't. Criminals see the signs and know that people will be watching them.

'We are close partners with Police, and crime prevention is still a major part of our kaupapa, even though we haven't been called Neighbourhood Watch for more than a decade.”

The organisation has Street Groups throughout the Western Bay with Street and Area Coordinators where neighbours got to know each other and were kept up to date with any crime in their area with fortnightly newsletters.

'Neighbourhood Support ensures people get to know who lives near them, and people keep an eye on unusual activity in their street, helping each other keep safe and supporting those who are elderly or live alone.

'We encourage everyone to join - it's free and is a proven way to prevent crime. People can sign up for free at www.wbopns.org.nz/joinus.”