Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Rupert Matthews has announced the appointment of a new Project Manager to maximise the impact of Neighbourhood Watch and other invaluable Watch schemes across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

As part of his drive to reduce crime, Mr Matthews has become one of the first Commissioners in the country to fund this dedicated role, which will boost the work of schemes such as Neighbourhood Watch, Rural Watch, Speed Watch and Pub Watch.

The aim of this role is to strengthen partnership working across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, and to create additional opportunities for volunteers to contribute to crime prevention projects. The role forms part of Mr Matthews' ongoing strategy to cut crime.

Announcing the appointment of Sam Payne to the post, Mr Matthews said: "Watch schemes are vital partners in the fight against crime and anti-social behaviour. This new role will support the development of Watch schemes across the force area. This appointment represents an important boost to my ongoing crime prevention strategy.

"I have always maintained that partnership working is critical for reducing crime and making our communities safer. This new role will help our partnerships to work together more cohesively, and together we will create the safe and inclusive communities and public spaces that we all want to live in."

Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland PCC Rupert Matthews. Image credit: PCC.

Sam Payne added: "I've always been a supporter of Neighbourhood Watch and I can see how it helps communities to feel safer. I would like to develop more schemes so that we have full, active coverage across the force area."

The appointment will help to fulfil the PCC's Police and Crime Plan priorities to revitalise the spirit of volunteering across the city and two counties and unleash the power of communities to tackle quality of life issues and help reduce the fear of crime. It also aims to increase support for NWN from within Leicestershire Police and among senior officers.

It comes after the PCC signed up to the national Neighbourhood Watch Community Safety Charter, pledging bold and decisive action to make public spaces safer and more resilient to crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB).

As part of his commitment to delivering strong and visible policing, the Commissioner vowed in his Police and Crime Plan to harness the support of local people in his community safety efforts and equip community groups and volunteers with the support, training and resources they need to operate effectively.