in Bermuda is no different. During 1992, there were 754 housebreakings and burglaries reported to Police -- an average of 15 each week. The odds against your property being broken and entered in the year ahead are less than one in forty. What will those odds be in the future unless something is done now to reduce the high level of crime in these islands? The Police alone cannot reduce crime; that is a fact. At best they can be expected to contain the level of crime. To actually reduce crimes against property the Police must have the help of the general public. The most effective method introduced so far to combat residential crime is the Neighbourhood Watch programme.

Originally conceived in North America, the programme has since spread world wide. It has bee credited with having reduced property crimes by up to 50% in some areas. The Neighbourhood Watch programme was introduced to Bermuda in December 1983 and during its first six months of operation, a total of 18 groups were established here. Significantly, crime in those first Neighbourhood Watch zones has decreased. Information provided by Bermuda Police Crime Prevention Department Brochure PHOTO NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH -- These decals are provided free of charge to members of Police approved Watch Groups.