The ‘Coracre’ Neighbourhood Watch, covering Coronation Road and Henacre Road, has been wound up following police cuts, according to coordinator.

Margaret Gobbett started ‘Coracre’ scheme in 1996 after having trouble with local young people using the road for doughnuts and speeding.

“I’m the last ‘chief coordinator’ of the scheme” explained Margaret, “I’m 74 now and none of the new residents are prepared to take it over, and the local PCSOs are telling us that there is no back up from the police due to budget cuts.

“We had £100 left in our kitty, because everyone paid £1 to be part of the scheme, and it has been sat in the treasurer’s account for years and has gained a little bit of interest, so we have donated it to The Kingsbridge Hospital League of Friends, who were thrilled.

“We wanted to support our local hospital and as the money came from a community scheme, it was only right that it went back into the community.”

Margaret said that the Neighbourhood Watch schemes nationally can give members reduced home insurance prices, and security products and systems could be bought through the scheme with hefty discounts, sometimes of more than 50 per cent.

She said the old neighbourhood beat manager of Kingsbridge Police advised her to start up the scheme and that the police gave them long service certificates and paid for their third party insurance they needed, but with current cuts to the police budgets, that is no longer possible.

“Its a shame” continued Margaret, “especially as we look like we’re going to lose our fantastic PCSOs, they do good work and they’re not going to be replaced.”

Sgt Dave Green, said: “I know there is work going on centrally to support Neighbourhood Watches across Devon, Cornwall and Dorset.”