RURAL Neighbourhood Watch schemes are receiving good public support.

Following the success of a group in Masham, North Yorkshire Police have turned their attention to villages in the Kirkby Malzeard area.

Thirty-five people attended a meeting called by community officer PC Anton Nicol at the village's Mechanics' Institute. Two thirds expressed an interest in becoming co-ordinators for the scheme which helps to curb crime at a local level.

PC Nicol said there was a need to overcome complacency about crime in rural communities.

"We have been very encouraged by the response. Neighbourhood Watch works and we can prove it," he said.

At Masham, police have praised the setting up of 15 co-ordinators as part of the "eyes and ears" initiative.

Co-ordinators are automatically linked to a ring round system from local headquarters, warning them of potential crimes, giving details of any suspicious vehicles to look for.

The latest crime-fighting initiative comes as police are set to return to an office in the former police station at Masham which has been closed for years.

PC Nicol said it was hoped the police would be in the office, with a computer link-up, by September as part of a wider scheme to use the building to benefit the community.