“High crime areas” in Redbridge are being targeted by Neighbourhood Watch in an effort to boost numbers.

People are being urged to join after the organisation said it had already set up around 50 new watches in the borough.

Mark Glazer, who runs Redbridge Neighbourhood Watch, said: “We are doing great things in Redbridge.

“It’s just getting people to realise what we are doing – to build a community.

“People think Neighbourhood Watch is different to how it actually is. There’s a perception of meeting and newsletters and lots of police interaction.

“It’s more about looking after each other and being a good neighbour.”

He said there were around 250 watches in Redbridge, with “lots more coming”.

“We are developing watches in high crime areas like Chadwell Heath,” he added.

Residents in any street can decide to set up their own watch by emailing RedbridgeNHW@mail.com or visiting redbridgenhw.info.

Once a good number of people are signed up to the scheme and have agreed on a leader, the police will set up a watch in that area.