NARROWBOAT owners and people running businesses along the Kennet and Avon have got together with the police to re-form the Canal Watch scheme.

It's very similar to the Neighbourhood Watch and Farm Watch schemes where people within a community watch out for each other's security and safety.

The existing canal watch scheme was set up about 15 years ago and followed on from another earlier scheme called Associated Canal Enterprises (ACE).

Over the years the canal watch had become little more than a memory and a few old fading signs along the canal through Wiltshire.

With the backing of the police, and in particular the new Pewsey area commander Sgt Andy Peach, the scheme has been re-launched.

The launch took place appropriately at Pewsey Wharf at the Waterside Inn which has recently opened over the Boatmen's Locker restaurant and tea-rooms.

Graham Lee who runs the Waterside Inn and who was formerly a narrow boat fleet operator is one of those behind reviving canal watch.

Mr Lee said it was vital to have such a scheme so that people using the canal, whether boaters, anglers or any of the many other users, could keep a watch on what goes on along the waterway.

Recently there have been some break-ins on unoccupied narrow boats moored along the canal.

There have been reports of criminal damage to boaters' cars in some places as well.

Sgt Peach said he was delighted canal watch was being re-formed and said it was intended to use the canal side business and pubs as reporting stations.