After over 2 years of trying to organize a Neighbourhood Watch in Benitachell, I have to admit defeat. The system relies on volunteer zone coordinators as they are the main channel of communication between residents and the authorities, and it cannot function without them.

Since June 2008, we have appealed for volunteers through the press, our website, public meetings and in "El Ciudadano." Unfortunately, it seems that there is a general lack of interest in the system and only a total of 5 or 6 volunteers have come forward. This is not enough to make the system viable.

The additional work for the Police and the Town Hall, to run this scheme, can only be justified if it covers a large part of the municipal area and, therefore, we will have to cancel this project, at least for now.

As always, however, the lines of communication remain open between the Local Police and the community. At the Town Hall, we will continue publishing information about security issues on this website as soon as possible and the local police are always ready to receive any reports or information from the public, that may help them to perform their duties and to protect us.

I would like to say thank you to those who did try and support the initiative by volunteering.

A.Bicknell
Councillor for Security
5th October 2010