GWENT now has more than 50,000 homes and businesses signed up to watch schemes on OWL, the Online Watch Link.

OWL is a National Neighbourhood Watch initiative and is supported by a number of police forces throughout the UK. Police and crime commissioner, Ian Johnston, has supported the Online Watch Link system in Gwent since he was elected into office.

Gwent Police use OWL to send messages to members by email, phone or SMS. Most are alerts about incidents happening in a community which aim to increase vigilance and helps reduce crime.

Following a survey carried out in April 2014, 75 per cent of the members on OWL said they are now more vigilant following an increased awareness of incidents in their area and have improved their home security.

Other benefits of the system include a "Fix my Street" application that allows watch members to easily report problems such as broken street lights to local councils. The most recent reports submitted to the council are displayed with a map showing the exact location of the problem.

Highlighting the importance of the OWL system to Gwent, PCC Ian Johnston said: "OWL is a fantastic initiative that is managed by residents for the good of their own neighbourhoods and communities.

"It enables them to receive and share information about what matters to them.

"OWL is an efficient and valuable tool to prevent and deter crime and reduce incidents of anti social behaviour as well as reassuring residents. It's a great example of police working with partners and members of the community to achieve a common goal – to make Gwent a safe place."

Leeanne Husselbee, OWL co-ordinator for Gwent Police said: "The more people we have registered on OWL increases the chances of us obtaining valuable information to assist officers when investigating incidents and we have seen some fantastic results."

To sign up, email your name, address, email address and telephone number to [email protected]">[email protected]. Alternatively you an use the website at http://www.owl.co.uk/gwent">www.owl.co.uk/gwent or fill in a registration leaflet available from the police or Neighbourhood Watch.