The number of households signed up to Neighbourhood Watch in Hertfordshire passed 80,000 in February.

Over the past year, Hertfordshire Constabulary and HertsWatch has recorded an increase in membership of more than 20 per cent across the county - with more than 15,000 additional households joining.

Police statistics show crime tends to be between 16 and 26 per cent lower in areas where Neighbourhood Watch schemes operate.

Members receive regular online updates from their nearest police station. These may be about local crime trends, fraud alerts, crime prevention tips and safety advice.

Often the messages contain appeals for the public to provide information to help solve local crimes, find missing people and report anti-social behavior issues in their local area.

Police said two separate missing people in Hertfordshire have been found recently after Neighbourhood Watch members responded to OWL alerts.

Watch members also have the opportunity to take part in online surveys and participate in online live chat meetings with their nearest policing team.

Julie Lloyd, community safety manager from the Crime Reduction Unit, said: "By being a good neighbour you can help make your community more secure by looking out for your neighbours, keeping an eye on their homes when they are out, watching out for those who are elderly or vulnerable and receiving and sharing crime prevention advice to help keep you and your neighbours safe and your homes and property secure."

HertsWatch chairman Sue Thompson said: "The neighbourhood watch schemes in Hertfordshire provide an invaluable service to the constabulary and we are keen to expand our membership even further so that every household in the county can enjoy the security offered to communities where scheme membership is high.

"The schemes are run by volunteer co-ordinators in each area, so members can volunteer to take on as little or as much as they want to, whilst enjoying the sense of community and security that membership provides."

Residents who would like to find a neighbourhood watch scheme in their area should visit www.owl.co.uk and type in their postcode.