POLICE have congratulated Wychbold's Neighbourhood Watch scheme after a thief who stole a garden ornament was arrested and cautioned.

A 12-inch stone ornament, depicting two kittens, was taken from outside the owner's front door in De Wyche Road earlier this month.

Shrewd

A shrewd Neighbourhood Watch member reported to the police that someone was trying to sell a garden ornament door to door and a description was sent to all the neighbourhood watch co-ordinators.

PC Andy Clarke, stationed in Droitwich, said one of the Neighbourhood Watch members had approached him with a name and officers were able to make an arrest.

He said: "This is a prime example of just how successful the Neighbourhood Watch scheme can be. It demonstrates that neighbours, in addition to often acting as a crime deterrent, can and do play a key role in crime detection.

"Neighbourhood Watch schemes are a very useful source of information and this particular scheme - with around 20 co-ordinators - is probably my most effective scheme, with regular information being fed back into our intelligence system."

The thief received a caution as it was their first known offence.

Despite a police search, the ornament has not been found.

Anyone interested in starting a Neighbourhood Watch group of their own can contact PC Colin Wishart, the Neighbourhood Watch administrator on 01905 331046.