VILLAGERS are being invited to attend the first meeting of a new Neighbourhood Watch scheme for Mobberley.

The scheme is the idea of retired police officer Bob Marshall, and the meeting takes place on Saturday at 1pm at The Rajar Building in Town Lane.

The meeting will be attended by Mobberley PCSO Emma Darroch.

Bob said: “I had been looking at setting a Watch scheme up ages ago, but didn’t get much positive feedback from the residents.

“However since the local Co-op robberies and a small increase in local crime it seems to have focused residents to do something about protecting themselves.”

Men armed with machetes raided the Co-op in Town Lane, Mobberley in August, the second robbery at the store in six months.

Bob added: “With more than 35 years’ experience in security and a retired police officer, stationed in the challenging area of Moss Side in Manchester, I thought it would be a positive idea to arrange a local neighbourhood watch scheme.

“Our aim is to bring Mobberley neighbours together to create a strong, friendly, active community where crime and anti-social behaviour is less likely to happen.

“We want to make sure that is focused on trust and respect in which people are safe from crime and enjoy a good quality of life.

“Our Neighbourhood Watch is about making sure that fewer people feel afraid, vulnerable or isolated in Mobberley. I understand Mobberley enjoys a low crime figure, and we would like to keep it that way.

“Over the years I have built up a good network, including the police at local and national level.

“They are happy to help with our initiative, and initial feedback from the community is positive.

“We have a website up and running, Facebook page, twitter and a physical newsletter for those not using social media.

“Our plan is to also create a smartphone APP to give instant warnings, updates and details of local police contacts and postcode-based crime figures.”