The organisation was originally known as Seaford Neighbourhood Watch Association and started in 1986, making it one of the first schemes in the country.

Following concern about crime, Jenny Odam, who is now immediate past chairman of the group, started up the association with Major Sims and Doug Pearman.

Charity status, membership of the Sussex Federation of Neighbourhood Watch, Seahaven Crime Prevention Panel and Seaford Community Partnership followed.

Dr Michael Maberley, who is current chairman of Seaford and Bishopstone Neighbourhood Watch — which has an office based at Seaford Police Station in Church Street — said, "I arrived in Seaford in March last year and a newsletter came through the door saying the group was in dire straits and was in danger of folding.

"My son is a policeman and I got thinking about Neighbourhood Watch and I thought it would be a good opportunity to put something back into the community that I recently came into.

"It needed to find a chairman and, having had some of this experience of this, I said I would take on the role temporarily. That was last November and I am still chairman now."

Everyone moving to the town is sent a Neighbourhood Watch pack which includes information, an invisible pen marker to mark household items, stickers and leaflets.

The organisation currently has 11,500 residences but only 300 have subscribed to membership.

Mike is looking for more active members and is hoping to promote the newsletter to a wider audience, with the help of sponsorship and advertising.

It is hoped the next newsletter will be available in October.

The 74-year-old, who believes the main aim of the group is to promote good citizenship, said, "The newsletter is important because it lets everyone know that Neighbourhood Watch is still there.

"I am hoping to develop the association and get more young people involved and we are always looking for volunteers to help promote what we do.

"The group can really benefit people because it means neighbours look out for one another."

If you would like to become a member or require more information please call Mike on 891646.