BY any stretch of the imagination, Addingham could not be described as a hotbed of criminal activity.

It is as quiet and tranquil as many of the other small villages on the far-flung outskirts of a major city.

But - as residents feel quite rightly - simply because crime is not a constant feature of the community environment, Addingham taxpayers should not be left without police cover.

There are plenty of car crimes and burglaries, and last year there was a robbery at the village post office in broad daylight.

The efforts of Harry Rowlinson to try to ensure that the village has a comprehensive network of Neighbourhood Watch membership should be applauded. After all, the police nowadays expect assistance from the community in their fight against crime.

And it is not just in the fight against the visiting criminals that a Neighbourhood Watch network is essential.

Addingham has grown considerably in the last few years and, as in similar communities, the risk of the village turning into an impersonal commuter dormitory is growing.

Neighbourhood Watch fosters the growth of community spirit and puts people in touch with each other to work for a common purpose.

In addition, the fact remains that village representatives in Addingham feel very strongly that their residents are not adequately policed. Although Neighbourhood Watch may be a powerful deterrent against crime, it will never be a proper substitute for adequate police resources.