It is in part thanks to the Evening Telegraph that four streets in the village and 75 residents have joined forces to keep an eye out for any suspicious goings-on.

Neighbourhood Watch chairman for the Corby and Kettering area Jane Calcott read an appeal for help in the village news section of the newspaper just before Easter.

Days later the first signs for Neighbourhood Watch were pinned on to lampposts.

Co-ordinator Gordon Wallace, who has galvanised his neighbours into action, said: "There had been a number of distraction burglaries targeting the elderly in particular and I thought something needed to be done.

"One elderly woman had her home burgled by four men.

"We wanted to be safety conscious."

Neighbour Margaret Smith said she was only too happy to join the scheme.

She said: "I am delighted Gordon has led the efforts to get a scheme established. We want to be the eyes and ears of the community."

Pete Lummis, who has lived in the village since 1978, will also be involved.

He said: "When I heard what the crime rate was in Stanion I was quite shocked and did not realise the number of burglaries that had occurred."

Over the past 12 months there has been a number of distraction burglaries.

Last July three men got away with cash after posing as water company workers and gaining entry into the home of an elderly man.

The following month a resident was praised by police when he intervened after becoming suspicious when a neighbour was called on by another man posing as a water company employee.

The streets that will be covered by the initial scheme are Grays Drive, Corby Drive, Reservoir Close and Berwick Road.

Mr Wallace will be kept updated with weekly crime figures and will also keep in close contact with the area's safer community team.

He will then email neighbours in the scheme so they can be aware of what to look out for.

There are also plans to set up schemes covering the High Street and Little Lane area.

Mrs Calcott said: "The aim is to have the whole of Stanion covered. We have about 60,000 residents involved across the county and it has been proved that Neighbour-hood Watch can prevent crimes."

Anyone who wants to set up a scheme can call 08453 700700, ext 4800 or 4357.