There is a lot of sense to the Audit Commission's recommendation, after looking at how safe or otherwise people feel in their own neighbourhoods (including Eccleshill and Tong), that local authority "frontline workers" such as neighbourhood wardens and housing officers should have greater involvement.

They are in daily contact with local people and are well-placed to identify their concerns. By working closely with other local authority departments and the police, and being seen to be doing so, they can help to restore the quality of life of residents in neighbourhoods which are being blighted by anti-social behaviour rather than serious crime.

Some might dismiss the proposal as a way of cutting police costs. Yet there is no doubt that the police are stretched. Much as we would like to see a beat bobby on every corner, it isn't going to happen. So these "eyes and ears" have an important role to play.

There is no reason why this sort of vigilance should not be adopted on a voluntary basis by other workers, too, whose job brings them into close contact with the public. The people delivering milk, mail or newspapers, emptying dustbins, reading meters and cleaning windows can keep an eye open for potential trouble and report it. So can neighbours.

Not many years ago that used to be commonplace. As society has become more selfish and insular there has been a tendency to cross the road rather than risk injury by intervening. The message has to be that while no-one should put themselves in danger, we should try to return to the days when people kept an eye open for the welfare of their neighbours.