THREE villages are joining forces to keep crime out of their communities in the run up to Christmas.

Previous united efforts by the same villages have resulted in festive crime levels dropping to zero - and organisers are determined to maintain that figure.

The Neighbourhood Watch schemes of Stillington, Huby and Sutton-on-the-Forest are taking it in turns to mount anti-burglary patrols in their streets.

A total of 40 people are taking part, backed up by extra patrols of police and community support officers.

"It is all about deterring the burglars who tend to go out looking for pickings at this time of year," said Sergeant Ben Frank.

"Working together, police and residents are making it very plain to thieves that the community is ready for them, and that there are eyes everywhere watching out for them."

He said rural communities in particular are good at spotting strangers in their midst, so it makes sense for local people to use that knowledge and link up with the police.

The residents will patrol the three villages on foot and will always stay together in pairs, noting any suspicious activity, vehicles or people.

They will wear fluorescent jackets but are not permitted to carry weapons of any kind.

Their instructions are to in no circumstances challenge or try to stop any suspicious characters or vehicles, but instead to call for aid via radios - supplied by the police - which are linked directly to the force's control room or to nearby uniformed officers.

Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator Mike Rigby said the scheme was first launched four years ago and had grown steadily ever since.

"We want to be seen - that's part of the point of the exercise," he said.

"In particular, we patrol during that period between dusk and when people get home from work.

"Empty houses full of Christmas presents can be a sitting target for any opportunistic thief that comes by."

The three villages have a combined population of about 3,000 - and when the patrols have been in action there have been no incidents of crime.