Can you help fight Bristol crime?

Police are calling for volunteer crime fighters to help deal with problems blighting two neighbour- hoods.

The volunteers would mount neighbourhood patrols seeking out anti-social behaviour, monitor speeding traffic and clear litter in Stoke Gifford and Little Stoke.

They would be trained by the police and issued with high-visibility jackets and short-wave radios – but would not be expected to tackle yobs themselves.

PC Tim Morgan has issued the call for volunteers, who would also set up and co-ordinate Neighbourhood Watches.

He said: "This neighbourhood is already a great place to live and work but like everywhere else there are issues which affect local people's quality of life.

"The way to tackle these problems is for everyone to pull together – the police, other agencies and local people themselves.

"I hope to create a list of volunteers happy to help out with schemes to improve life for themselves and their neighbours."

The idea is that the volunteers would be willing to:

Train to use speed monitoring equipment and run Community Speed Watch campaigns;

Become Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators;

Take part in planned neighbourhood patrols in areas where there have been complaints about anti-social behaviour;

Take part in litter picks.

PC Morgan said: "The neighbourhood patrols would involve volunteers walking in pairs in parks or other areas where people have complained about anti-social behaviour. They would get special training and equipment including a high-visibility jacket and a short-wave radio.

"Their role would be simply to call in uniformed officers if they see anything which could lead to anti-social behaviour.

"They would be acting as our eyes and ears and helping us prevent problems – not getting involved themselves."

Neighbourhood patrols would be planned and co-ordinated with the local police team.

PC Morgan added: "Neighbourhood Watch is well supported in this area, but we are always looking for more members and co-ordinators as it is a great way to build a strong community.

"We're working with an existing group of volunteer litter-pickers and South Gloucestershire Council's Street Care team who will co-ordinate community clean-ups.

"Speeding is often a concern, especially in areas where there are young children, and we have found that a Community Speed Watch scheme really helps."

Specially-trained volunteers monitor traffic speeds in their area and note the details of speeding vehicles.

Motorists will then get a warning letter from the police.

People who live in Stoke Gifford or Little Stoke, are over 18 and would like to get involved, can contact PC Morgan or Police Community Support Officer Dean Sobey at Filton Police Station on 0845 456 7000.