I want to start with extremely positive news regarding crime in Tandridge. The last year has been excellent. At the end of the financial year March 2010 we saw a reduction in overall crime of 4.9% with a fall in offences such as vehicle crime, house burglaries and criminal damage. I am certain that this significant decrease has been greatly assisted by the community being vigilant, looking out for their neighbours, and reporting any suspicious persons and vehicles so thank you! I want to celebrate this with a reminder of the Police/ partner and community work that assists in keeping Tandridge safe. This last year we have seen an increase in the number of members of our 'Watch' schemes and one of them, Woldingham Neighbourhood Watch, won a national award. If your street is not in Neighbourhood Watch then please contact your local officer who will assist you in starting a scheme up. We will also put you in contact with a near-by existing scheme co-ordinator who will be able to reassure you and tell you what they learned from setting a scheme up.

Country Watch membership continues to increase weekly. Being so close to London it is easy to forget that over 90% of Tandridge is rural and those that work in rural businesses have been targeted by criminals. We have seen a decrease in crime in these areas thanks to the Watch schemes. Caterham Shop Watch continues to be an excellent fast-time communication system between the retailers and ourselves, assisting in persons being arrested for retail offences and property being returned. It is hoped that this scheme will soon be in Oxted.

Pub Watch is a scheme run by the licensees in Tandridge supported by Surrey Police and Tandridge District Council. The recently formed scheme in the North of the District is chaired by Tom Dempsey of the Whyteleafe Tavern who starting next month (June) will be writing occasional columns in this paper about how licensees work with us to reduce further the low level of incidents within licensed premises so that you the community can enjoy their hospitality.

Finally please continue to call in and help make Tandridge an even lower crime area this year. This is the challenge for all of us but I know together we can do it!