This culminated recently with Central District Commander Mike Francis presenting accolades to five watchmen for their sterling work in helping Police catch burglars and robbers.

Mr Francis said the District restricted burglaries to a respectable 246 in 1997, but had subsequently seen a disappointing rise again last year to 343. While this was still lower than the years before 1997, and represented less than one case per day, the Building Security Risk Assessment Project Team was established to try and reverse the trend.

The work involved surveying some 2,700 buildings in consultation with management companies and owners corporations over a five-month period.

The District sought views from Police colleagues in other formations, community groups such as the District Fight Crime Committee and other government departments in implementing the project. The concept was to generate a Police partnership with the public in reducing burglaries.

"Survey details were fed into a confidential database conceived and designed by the team themselves with the output facilitating much more effective tasking of duties and appropriate communication with the concerned building authorities outlining perceived weaknesses for improvement.

"An inquiry hotline was set up and technical advice referrals were made to the Crime Prevention Office," Mr Francis said.

"A further phase of the project, the security personnel alertness campaign, was kicked-off on July 8 with DFCC members helping out as "infiltration" in covertly testing watchmen.

"The combined effect of all these activities will hopefully further enhance the safe living and working environment in the District," he said.

Mr Francis added although there were no guarantees, burglaries were down this year and the general attitude to prevention had greatly improved.

Central committee: DC C Mike Francis (centre) and the risk assessment team