The Grimsby Evening Telegraph have printed a series of articles about the new divisional commander for North East Lincolnshire, and today, Chief Supt Hilditch posed the question How healthy is our community spirit right now?

Would you help a stranger in trouble, or simply walk on by? Do you smile at people as you walk along the street, or turn your head the other way, and do you know the names of your neighbours?

If you answered no to any of these questions, the chances are your community spirit needs to improve.

North East Lincolnshire’s divisional commander Chief Supt David Hilditch believes raising everyone’s sense of community spirit will help us all to feel safer and more secure in our area. He also feels belonging to groups – such as Neighbourhood Watch – gives people the power to fight back against crime and say, enough is enough.

He said: “If people have a sense of belonging to their neighbourhood and are willing to look out for their neighbours, or to get involved in local groups, it gives them a sense of ownership.

“If they are willing to join local groups or take action in reporting bad behaviour, it makes a real difference to people’s sense of security and therefore their sense of safety.” Officials behind Neighbourhood Watch groups agree with his beliefs. A recent survey of 12 different neighbourhood watch groups showed they can help to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.There are 101 neighbourhood watch groups in North East Lincolnshire, with 23 in different stages of development.Graham Reynolds, HANWAG’s neighbourhood watch co-ordinator for North East Lincolnshire, said: “Neighbourhood Watch brings communities together because it gets them talking and working together, and working in partnership with other agencies.